Do We Need to Revisit Current Nitrogen Recommendations for the New High Yielding Sugarbeet Varieties?.

Nitrogen management is one of the most significant factors in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) production. Under application of nitrogen fertilizer can result in reduced root yield while over application can result in decreased sugar content and recoverable sucrose percentage, increased production cost and contamination of ground and surface water. Suagrbeet plant acquire N primarily from three sources , (i) residual soil nitrate-N, (ii) nitrogen mineralization from soil organic matter, and (iii) fertilizer –N. So in establishing fertilizer nitrogen recommendation for sugarbeet, N supply from other two sources needs to be considered. Current Sugarbeet N recommendations were developed in 2001, since then Suagerbeet yields have significantly increased. Though this might be the cumulative result of higher yielding varieties and improved production practices, the role of N cannot be ignored and need to be further explored. Fertilizer nitrogen (N) response trials (0, 100, 130, 160, and 190 lb N/ac) to maximize sugarbeet yield (tons/ac) and quality (sugar %) will be conducted at multiples locations in the Red River Valley.

Key words

Nitrogen management, Sugar content, Recoverable sucrose, nitrification inhibitor, nitrogen mineralization