MICRONUTRIENT STUDIES ON SUGARBEETS AT NORTHWEST EXPERIMENT STATION AND GLYNDON, 1971

There is considerable interest in the effect of certain micronutrients on the yield and quality of sugarbeets in this general area. Fertilizer companies in the Red River Valley have been "pushing" the sale of zinc, iron, manganese, and boron, and including them in their sugarbeet fertilizers. Previous research has shown that the Valley soils contain sufficient zinc for beet production.

An experiment was undertaken to determine the effect of the above micronutrient on the yield and quality of sugarbeets at Crooks ton and Glyndon.Six treatments were used and the materials were broadcast and mixed with the soil by roto-tilling. Sulfur was included as a treatment because of local interest. The iron, manganese, boron, and sulfur treatments were mixed together and applied as a treatment labeled "Blast."

The previous fertilizer program on these plot areas was as follows:

Crookston:


Glyndon:
0-46-0 @ 250 lb/A broadcast previous fall
6-42-0 @ 100 lb/A row application at planting time
Previous crop: Sweet clover fallow
5-25-5 @ 400 lb/A broadcast
Previous crop: Sweet clover fallow

Soil information is given in table l for both locations.

Samples of the leaf, blade, and petioles were taken in mid-July and August at both locations for analysis.

Discussion:

The nutrient levels of the sugarbeet blades at both locations for July 19 and August 19, 1971, are given in table 2. None of the nutrient levels in table 2 are in the deficiency range. They are intermediate to high for the major elements like P, K, Ca, Na and Mg. The addition of the treatments did not greatly influence the uptake of other elements. For example, the Blast treatment did not increase the uptake of phosphorus, potash, sodium or magnesium, or any of the micronutrients when compared to check.

The addition of iron did not increase the uptake of this element by the leaf blade. The iron content of the blades was lower at the August sampling at Crookston.

Although zinc was not added, the levels were well above the 20 ppm which are considered adequate for growth.

The manganese treatment did not increase the uptake of this element by the beet plant. The boron and manganese treatments increased the phosphorus and calcium content of the blade when compared to the check plot, but had very little effect on the other elements.

The addition of sulfur had no essential effect on the results. Table 3 gives the nutrient levels for the petioles at the two sampling rates and locations.

There was no essential increase in the micronutrient content of the petioles from any treatment at either sampling date or location.

The yields, percent sugar, impurity index and sugar yields for both locations are given in table 4. Adding micronutrients did not produce any significant yield increases at Crookston. The sulfur and iron treatments increased the yield 0.4 and 0.6 tons per acre when compared to the check plots. At Glyndon the check plot had the highest yield.

There were no significant differences in percent sugar, impurity indexes or sugar yield at either location.

This one-year study indicates that the supply of micronutrients in the soil is adequate for sugarbeet production.


1971 Sugarbeet Research and Extension Reports. Volume 2, pages 81 - 84.


Red River Trade Corridor
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