The iso-group concept as a tool for optimising sugar beet production at plot level
2001
Coppens, G. | Vogels, N. | Vandendriessche, H. (Soil service of Belgium, Brussels (Belgium))
Yield and quality of sugar beet production is influenced by a large number of factors. Some of these are inherent to the field on which the crop is grown. They define the intrinsic capacity of a field and can not or hardly be modified by man. On the other hand the so-called management factors can be adjusted or influenced as required for optimum production. In the present concept, the maximum attainable yield is considered to be the highest observed yield within a group of fields with comparable intrinsic value, further called iso-group. The grouping (positioning step) is based on a set of permanent characteristics determined mainly by the physical environment, such as soil texture, drainage class, slope and exposition. Each unique combination of these characteristics, established using a GIS-tool, give rise to a new iso-group. After appointing each field to an iso-group, a ranking can be made within each group based on root yield or sugar content. During the diagnosis step the contribution of each management variable to the observed variation in yield and quality within an iso-group, is determined. In this way the most relevant variables are selected and the relationship with yield and/or quality is established. On the basis of these relationships specific measures can be suggested to improve the yield and quality of the sugar beet crop on a specific field (advising step). By applying these recommendations the farmer is expected to obtain yields that come closer to the maximum intrinsic capacity of his plot.
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