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Prediction of Nitrogen Status of Sugarbeets by Soil Analysis 1
Author(s) -
Giles J. F.,
Reuss J. O.,
Ludwick A. E.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1975.00021962006700040002x
Subject(s) - loam , agronomy , sugar beet , fertilizer , sowing , crop , calcareous , soil water , sugar , soil test , nitrogen , soil texture , environmental science , chemistry , biology , soil science , botany , biochemistry , organic chemistry
The production of high sugar yielding crops of sugarbeets ( Beta vulgaris L.) is highly dependent on available N. Excessive N fertilization is frequently cited as a cause of low sugar containing beets, which has become a problem in todays beet industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of N soil tests to predict N fertilizer requirements for this crop. Fertilizer trials consisting of 4 N rates (0, 70, 140, and 210 kg N/ha) were conducted on 33 farm sites in central and eastern Colorado over a 2‐year period. Soils ranged in texture from sandy loam to clay loam and were generally calcareous at or near the surface having a pH > 7.0. The results show that soil NO 3 ‐N levels measured before planting are useful in estimating the N requirements of the sugarbeet crop. Soil NO 3 ‐N levels were closely correlated with crop yield and sucrose percentage. Regression analysis indicated that yield and recoverable sugar responses to fertilizer N are unlikely when soil NO 3 ‐N levels (0 to 60 cm) are > 130 kg/ha. A linear decrease in sucrose percent resulted from increasing N levels. Soil NO 3 ‐N had a greater effect on sucrose percentage and plant N content than did an equal amount of fertilizer N during both years. An assessment of the NO 3 ‐N content of the soil to at least the 60‐cm depth was found to be an adequate index of soil mineral N availability.