Effects of plant density, irrigation and potassium and sodium fertilizers on sugar beet: I. Yields and nutrient composition

Abstract

SummaryThree experiments (1970–2) on calcareous sandy loan tested all combinations of four plant densities (18500–124000 plants/ha), two amounts of potassium (0, 156 kg/K/ha) and sodium (0, 247 kg/Na/ha) fertilizer and two watering treatments on yield and chemical composition of sugar beet. The main effects of the treatments in all three experiments confirmed that at least 75000 plants/ha were needed for maximum sugar yield, that sodium fertilizer increased sugar yield more than potassium (+0.76 and +0.29 t/ha respectively) and that the crop responded to irrigation in some years (+1.35 t sugar/ha in 1970 and +1.67 t/ha in 1972).Analysis of the growth of the crop showed that increasing the plant density increased leaf growth per unit area from singling onwards and giving irrigation increased it from July; the effects persisted until harvest and were reflected in increased sugar yields. Fertilizer increased leaf growth early in the season but the effect disappeared later, although sugar yield was still increased. Interactions between plant density, fertilizer treatment and irrigation were small every year but there were some consistent effects on sugar yield. The results suggest that in commercial practice the optimum density is 75000 plants/ha; where irrigation is not practised, 247 kg/ha of sodium and 70 kg/ha of potassium fertilizer should be given. Where irrigation is applied, only 247 kg/ha of sodium needs to be given as the extra water increases the uptake of soil potassium.