Zinc Enhances Sugar Beet Emergence and Yield on a Calcareous Soil with Marginal Zinc Availability
2004
Stevens, WBart | Mesbah, Abdel O.
Zinc fertilization by broadcast, foliar, and seed-row application methods were evaluated as a means to enhance sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) production on a calcareous soil with marginal (0.5 to 1.0 ppm) Zn availability. Seed-row-applied ZnSO₄ (ZnSO₄ at 6 lb/acre, Zn at 2 lb/acre) resulted in the most consistent benefit to root yield over the three year study, resulting in an 11% (2.8 ton/acre) root yield increase compared to no Zn application. Broadcast and foliar applications of Zn plus B, Fe, and Mn produced lesser and more sporadic yield increases than did seed-row-applied ZnSO₄. Placing the salt-based ZnSO₄ in direct contact with seed did not appear to have inhibited seedling emergence; rather it enhanced the rate of emergence in two of the three years. There was evidence that seed-row application of ZnSO₄ resulted in stronger and more vigorous seedlings than those obtained with other Zn application methods. Because this study was conducted at only a single location, additional research at other locations is necessary to validate results and justify changes to current guidelines.
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