Nitrogen and sugar beet yield

Nitrogen is a key component of enzymes, vitamins, chlorophyll and other cell constituents, which are essential for crop growth and development. 

Nitrogen deficient plants are characterised by a poor growth rate, pale green or yellow leaves because of lack of chlorophyll and stunted through lack of leaf expansion.

The most effective application of nitrogen is via placement in bands an accurate distance from the seeds when sowing. The benefits of the right drilling have been demonstrated in many trials both in terms of yield increase and efficiency of fertilizer usage. Theoretically the best placement is 5 cm besides the seed and 5 cm below the seed. To avoid risk of harming the germination, it is normal, to place the fertilizer 8 – 10 cm beside the seed in case the tines are affected by stones etc. The second best application of nitrogen is to place it in bands 15 cm below the soil surface before sowing. Alternatively the nitrogen is broadcast and cultivated in the soil before sowing.

Nitrogen increases sugar-beet yield

A typical optimum nitrogen rate for beet yield is approximately 120 kgN/ha.

However, increasing nitrogen often reduces the sugar content.

The optimum nitrogen rate for sugar yield is therefore lower than for the beet yield alone.