Sugar beet
Get the most from sugar beet crop
• Nutrition is key to optimise yields • Phosphorus oſten limited in soils • Nitrogen is single most important
optimise yields. A robust nutrient management programme is essential, says Natalie Wood, arable agronomist at Yara. This will help achieve a full leaf can- opy which is what produces the high- est yields, she adds.
C
“By intercepting at least 90% of incoming sunlight quickly and main- taining its greenness throughout the growing season, sugar beet will accu- mulate sugar from very early in its growth cycle.”
Growing this canopy early is criti-
cal. For this reason, nitrogen is the sin- gle most important nutrient, as it pro- motes growth at all stages of the plant’s development. But care must be taken to ensure other nutrients are in order. “A balanced crop nutrition program
is key,” says Ms Wood. “Make sure you have all the essen-
old spring weather has piled the pressure on sugar beet growers to get the most from crops and
tial macro and micro nutrients to get the most from your crop.”
Essential nutrients
Phosphorus – crucial for early growth, is often limited in many soils. Fresh applications help ensure availability and avoid deficiency. Potassium and sodium also boost growth rates, regu- lating water and nutrient movement within the crop. Sulphur, too, can often be over-
looked. “Sulphur is essential for high yields,” says Ms Wood. “It is linked with nitrogen. The ra- tio of nitrogen to sulphur in a healthy plant would be about 15:1. A higher ra- tio than that could lead to deficiency.” Magnesium drives yield develop- ment through photosynthetic activi- ty. During root expansion and growth, rapid cell division needs large amounts of boron. Deficiency can lead to dete- rioration of root and leaf expansion, compromising yields.
Boron
deficiency can lead to root deterioration
While factors such as temperature
and water supply will have an impact on yield and sugar content, one area where farmers do have control – and the chance to positively impact their crop – is in managing their nutrients. “Making sure the right nutrients are applied at sufficient levels can make a real difference, ” says Ms Wood.
Essential nutrients
Growers should act sooner rather than later
“
“There are also micronutrients that play a key role: manganese, boron, cop- per and molybdenum. “The best approach is to apply a product that contains several of these key nutrients, such as YaraVita Bras- sitrel Pro – that way we know we’re supplying the crop with what it needs for healthy growth.” “Now is the time to act. Make sure
you have an effective nutrient man- agement programme in place to give your sugar beet crop its best chance for high yields.”
A balanced crop nutrition program is vital, says Natalie Wood.
JUNE 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 49
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