The effect of potassium and sodium fertiliser on sugar beet yield and quality
1997
Bee, P.M. | Jarvis, P.J. | Armstrong, M.J. (British Sugar plc, Peterborough (UK). Agricultural Research and Development Department)
The responses of sugar beet to potassium and sodium fertiliser in the presence and absence of each other were measured in field experiments between 1992 and 1996. Potassium fertiliser did not influence yield, sugar content, sodium or a amino-N in any of the years. Root potassium was increased by the amount of applied potassium fertiliser and varied according to soil potassium levels. Yields above 10 t per ha of sugar were produced irrespective of the amount of potassium and yields were not increased with the inherent potassium fertility of the soil as may have been expected. Sodium fertiliser significantly increased root yields and sugar content (with or without potassium fertiliser) in drier seasons. Increased amounts of sodium fertiliser significantly increased the levels of sodium impurities in the beet. These experiments did not support the case for an increase in the rates of potassium fertiliser recommended for the UK sugar beet crop. Reduced amounts of sodium fertiliser are now recommended where soil fertility allows.
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