Sugar beet is a crop that is demanding to the soil conditions, so it requires special care for favorable growth.
It is necessary to start applying fertilizers in the fall, so that during the growing season the beets can take all the necessary nutrients for growth from the source. Primarily fertilize with potassium, since beets require higher doses of this substance, as well as boron and manganese – their absence in the fertilizer can lead to a decrease in sugar content of beets, yields, as well as death of the plant.
Growth and development phases of sugar beets
Sugar beets grow quite fast. After the seed is planted, the root and the subseedling begin to grow first. The two cotyledons come to the surface, turn green, and initially act as leaves (true leaves do not form until 6-8 days after the sprout comes to the surface). Then the remaining pairs of leaves appear, unfolding one by one. At the end of the growing season, the growth of leaves slows down, with a total of about 60-70 leaves.
The growth of sugar beets in their first year of life can be divided into three main stages:
– formation of leaves and root system – after the beet sprout comes to the surface;
– Also during this period, the root crop itself begins to form;
– Increased growth of the root crop is observed during July and August, when beets get enough sunlight;
– By early fall, leaf growth slows down, sugar accumulates in the fruit, and root mass increases.
On average, beets have a growing season of 150-170 days, depending on growing conditions and the availability of the necessary fertilizers and natural elements in the soil.
Peculiarities of leaf nutrition in each phase of development
Leaf feeding of sugar beets helps make up for micronutrient deficiencies and also protects the plant from external weather factors. Particularly intensive feeding of sugar beet requires during the first (beginning of the formation of the leaf apparatus) and the third (increase in the weight of the root crop) phase of maturation. During these periods, it is advisable to do leaf feeding in the evening, as the temperatures may be too high during the day.
During the growth of sugar beet, it is recommended to conduct leaf feeding three times, the interval between phases should be 20-25 days. Important: At the end of the growing season, sugar beets should limit nitrogen intake and increase phosphorus and potassium.
An integrated approach to sugar beet fertilization and the presence of leaf fertilization leads to a saturation of the plant with trace elements, which affects the increase in sugar content.
complex fertilizers and mono-fertilizers by phase
Complex organochelate and mono fertilizers have a direct impact on beet yield and condition. Mono-fertilizers for sugar beets in the best form are organochelate boron fertilizers. The element boron has a positive effect on the intensity of photosynthesis, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, activation of enzyme activity, root crop yield, as well as their sugar content. (Read more about O-RISE boron fertilizer in the article “Mono BOR”). Also a positive effect is noted from manganese fertilizers – both elements are recommended to be added to sugar beet fertilization during the third phase of growth, when the fruits gain weight and sugar content. Smaller amounts of elements can also be added during the first growth phase to increase the plant’s resistance to pests and unlock its genetic potential. Before sowing, it is important to conduct a soil analysis.
The effect of leaf feeding on sugar beets
With a proper foliar feeding program and timely treatments, the result of sugar beet fertilization will be expressed in the following:
– increased resistance to adverse weather conditions, increased resistance to disease;
– active development and growth of the root system, leaves
– intensive growth of root crops, increasing its sugar content;
– relief of herbicide stress;
– yield increase;
– Increasing the outflow of sugar from the roots to the root crop.
Nutrition problems, important points
Sugar beet belongs to the category of the most demanding plants, so its nutrition must be made comprehensively. Soil air and water regimes also have a major influence on beet growth and sugar content, so the plant should not be limited in obtaining useful elements from both sources, which increases the requirements for selecting a suitable soil type.
One of the key elements that should be included in the feeding of sugar beet is nitrogen, which allows the plant to get a large amount of biologically active substances, which will lead to the establishment of metabolic processes, as well as increased enzymatic activity. Particular attention should be paid to nitrogen fertilization during the first phase of the growing season, which will prevent abundant weed growth, as well as enhance photosynthesis and accelerate the process of leaf unfolding.
To order complex fertilizers and mono fertilizers for foliar nutrition of beet, to get detailed information about the products of the company ” Zoloto Poley” and agro-consultation you can contact the managers of the department of agricultural support by phone *26-01 (a call for Russia is free).
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