TIME OF APPLICATION AND CHEMICAL FORM OF POTASSIUM, PHOSPHORUS, MAGNESIUM AND SODIUM FERTILIZERS AND EFFECTS ON THE GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF SUGAR-BEET (BETA-VULGARIS)
Mf. Allison et al., TIME OF APPLICATION AND CHEMICAL FORM OF POTASSIUM, PHOSPHORUS, MAGNESIUM AND SODIUM FERTILIZERS AND EFFECTS ON THE GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF SUGAR-BEET (BETA-VULGARIS), Journal of Agricultural Science, 123, 1994, pp. 61-70
Between 1985 and 1988, 14 field experiments at different sites in the
UK assessed the effect of applying P, K, Na and Mg in autumn, early sp
ring, late spring or as a split application in both autumn and late sp
ring on the growth, yield and processing quality of sugarbeet. Supplem
entary experiments compared Kaynitro and Chilean nitrate of soda. None
of the treatments had any effect on plant population densities, and a
ny differences in sugar yield could be explained by the leaching of Na
. The effects on processing quality were inconsistent and unlikely to
be of agronomic or economic significance. Generally, Kaynitro and Chil
ean nitrate of soda performed no better than the other fertilizers so
it is unlikely that their extra cost would be justified. Apart from Na
, the timing of nutrient application appeared to be unimportant, even
on soils of low fertility. However, Na, being very mobile, was best ap
plied in spring.