February 2014
Sugarbeet

MicroEssentials® SZ® Sugarbeet Fertility

Objective

Evaluate the yield response of sugarbeets to MAP (11-52-0) + starter (10-34-0) compared to MicroEssentials® S10® (12-40-0-10S) + starter, MicroEssentials® SZ® (12-40-0-10S-1Zn) + starter and MicroEssentials® SZ® + MicroEssentials® SZ® starter.

Evaluate the RSA (Recoverable Sugar per Acre) of sugarbeets to MAP (11-52-0) + starter (10-34-0) compared to MicroEssentials® S10 (12-40-0-10S) + starter, MicroEssentials® SZ (12-40-0-10S-1Zn) + starter, and MicroEssentials® SZ + MicroEssentials® SZ starter.

Evaluate the synergy of MicroEssentials® SZ + K-Mag® (0-0-0-22-11Mg-22S) + starter compared to other treatments without magnesium (Mg).

OVERVIEW

  • MAP + 10-34-0 is commonly used as a primary phosphate fertilizer source in sugarbeet-growing regions of North America.

  • In addition to N, P, K, sugarbeets are very responsive to Mg, S and Zn.

  • Mg plays a very important role in phloem loading of sucrose. Phloem export of sucrose is severely impaired at a very early stage of Mg deficiency, even before any noticeable changes appear in shoot growth.

TRIAL DETAILS

Crop: Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris)

Years: 2010-2012

Data Source: North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D.

Experimental Design: Small-plot RCBD with 4 replications.

Experimental Design: Small-plot RCBD with 4 replications

Cropping Conditions:

P Rate: Balanced across treatments at 35 lbs P₂O₅/ac.

K Rate: Balanced across treatments at 60 lbs K₂O/ac.

Liquid Starter: 3 gal/ac

RESULTS

Fig. 1: Sugarbeet Root Yield
Fig. 2: Sugarbeet Recoverable Sugar per Acre (RSA)

SUMMARY

  • Treatments including MicroEssentials® S10® and MicroEssentials® SZ® resulted in higher root yield and RSA than the MAP treatment alone.

  • MicroEssentials® SZ® + MicroEssentials® SZ® as starter produced the highest root yield and RSA, which were 12% and 8% higher than MAP+10-34-0, respectively.

  • The second-highest root yield and RSA were produced with MicroEssentials® SZ® + K-Mag®, which can be explained by the role of Mg in sugar transport to the roots.

  • MicroEssentials® and K-Mag® are superior alternatives to the common practice of MAP.

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Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible.