Assessing the Use of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers on Sugarbeet Yield and Quality.

Increased spring weather variability in combination with early planting dates may allow enhanced efficiency fertilizers to improve sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) nitrogen (N) management programs. A field study was initiated in Richville, MI to study the effects of enhanced efficiency fertilizers in comparison to standard N programs on sugarbeet yield and quality. The study was arranged as an 8 treatment randomized complete block design with four replications. All treatments received 45 kilograms N ha^-1 as 28% UAN applied as a 5x5 (cm) at planting with total N applications at 179 kilograms N ha^-1. Treatments consisted of urea sidedressed with light cultivation, N applied pre-emergence with a urease and nitrification inhibitor, urea applied pre-emergence with and without a urease inhibitor, UAN banded sidedress with and without a urease inhibitor with no cultivation, 10-34-0 applied as a pop-up with remaining N as urea sidedressed with light cultivation, and a 75:25 ratio of polymer-coated urea:urea applied pre-emergence. Data collection included stand counts, digital image analysis of canopy coverage, tissue sampling, SPAD chlorophyll meter readings, yield, recoverable white sugar per hectare, recoverable white sugar per megagram, and % sugar. A significant (P < 0.10) decrease in the population was seen where N was applied pre-emergence without a urease inhibitor. Digital image analysis of canopy coverage resulted in significant (P < 0.10) differences throughout the growing season. Sugarbeets that received a pop-up treatment resulted in a significantly greater percentage of canopy coverage on 3 of 7 dates. First year preliminary data suggest that using enhanced efficiency fertilizers in comparison to standard N programs did not result in significant differences in final yield or % sugar where seasonal rainfall events did not result in N loss conditions. However when applying N pre-emergence, urea alone resulted in a significantly reduced stand whereas N applied with a polymer coating, a urease inhibitor, or a urease plus nitrification inhibitor did not reduce beet population.