Zone tillage in sugar beets-2010
Regitnig, P. 2010.
Abstract
In an experiment evaluating nitrogen rates and forms, there were no significant differences
in yield and quality parameters between equivalent rates of urea and Environmentally Smart
Nitrogen (ESN). As nitrogen fertilizer rates increased there was a downward trend for
extractable sugar per tonne and an upward trend for root yield that was statistically significant
for some comparisons. Amino nitrogen and sodium levels in sugar beets were significantly
increased and leaf canopy colour was significantly greener with increasing nitrogen fertilizer
rates. When the same rate of nitrogen was applied, there was no significant difference in quality
parameters when zone tillage was compared to a reduced residue tillage treatment; however,
reduced residue did result in significantly higher root yield than the same rate of urea applied in
a zone tillage treatment. Additional urea applied in another zone tillage treatment did not
mitigate the yield reduction.
In two experiments examining nitrogen rates with and without inter-row cultivation,
significant increases in plant vigour and root yield occurred with applied fertilizer nitrogen.
Inter-row cultivation did not affect these factors. Observations of reduced plant vigour and root
yield with zone tillage in previous Alberta trials were not explained by monitoring inter-row
cultivation in these trials.
In a fourth experiment investigating the effect of phosphorus rates and placement,
treatments had no effect on root yield or extractable sugar per tonne. A spring in-furrow rate of
12 lbs P2O5/acre resulted in significant sugar beet stand reduction. Saturated spring soil
conditions negatively impacted early season plant development in this trial.
