Adverse condictions in April have put more pressure on sugar beet farmers, making it vital that every possible action is taken to ensure yields fulfill their potential. According to Natalie Wood, country arable agronomist at Yara, offered her advice and explained that a robust nutrient management programme is key to achieving this.
Creating a full leaf canopy
“A full leaf canopy is what produces the highest yields,” said Ms Wood. “By intercepting at least 90% of incoming sunlight quickly and maintaining its greenness throughout the growing season, sugar beet will accumulate sugar from very early in its growth cycle.”
Growing this canopy early is critical. For this reason, nitrogen is the most important nutrient, as it promotes growth at all stages of the plant’s development. However, care must be taken to ensure other nutrients are in order.
“A balanced crop nutrition program is key,” she added. “Make sure you have all the essential macro and micro nutrients to get the most from your crop.”
Essential nutrients
Phosphorus for optimal early growth, is often limited in many soils. Fresh applications help ensure availability and avoid deficiency. Potassium and sodium both also have a beneficial effect on growth, regulating water in and out of the plant and nutrient movement within the crop.
Sulphur, too, can often be overlooked, according to Ms Wood: “Sulphur is essential for high yields. It is linked with nitrogen. The ratio of nitrogen to sulphur in a healthy plant would be about 15:1. A higher ratio than that could lead to deficiency.”
She also highlighted the role of magnesium, an important component of chlorophyll which drives yield development through photosynthetic activity. During root expansion and growth, rapid cell division also occurs which needs large amounts of boron. Boron deficiency halts growth and leads to deterioration of the root and leaf expansion, compromising yield and quality.
Maximising results
While factors such as temperature and water supply will have an impact on yield and sugar content, one area where farmers do have control – and the chance to positively impact their crop – is in managing their nutrients.
“Making sure the right nutrients are applied at sufficient levels can make a real difference for sugar beet,” Ms Wood summarised. “There are also micronutrients that play a key role: manganese, boron, copper and molybdenum. The best approach is to apply a product that contains several of these key nutrients, such as YaraVita Brassitrel Pro, that way we know we’re supplying the crop with what it needs for healthy growth.
“Now is the time to act. Make sure you have an effective nutrient management programme in place to give your sugar beet crop its best chance for high yields.”
For more information go to www.yara.co.uk
