Energy Beet (Beta Vulgaris) Utilization for Saline Soil Bioremediation in Non-Traditional Sugar Beet Growing Regions.

Energy beets (beta Vulgaris) are a type of sugar beet specifically developed for ethanol production. The areas targeted for beet ethanol facilities are located outside of current sugar beet growing regions. These same areas in the upper Great Plains can often be affected by elevated soil salt. Sugar beets are known to be salt tolerant and could be utilized as a high value crop as well as a tool for soil bioremediation. With increased seed and equipment availability energy beets could be grown in targeted areas especially for long-term soil reclamation strategies. In studies conducted across a saline gradient near Carrington, North Dakota, energy beets preformed as well or better in salt-affected soils than other cash crops available in the area. The plant stand and yield for crops such as soybean and wheat rapidly declined when soil EC increased beyond values of 2 mmho/cm. Barley had a much slower response, maintaining some stand and yield out to values of around 10 mmho/cm. There was no relationship between soil salt and energy beet yield or stand. While other factors, such as soil compaction, hard soils, or wet conditions can have a big effect on energy beet establishment, soil salt on its own had little or no influence on energy beet production in our study.