(Editor - This article is being reprinted with permission from Amalgamated Sugar Company.)
All sugarbeet growers make choices about the establishment of their sugarbeet stands. Those choices or decisions will have consequences, some of which will be a positive impact. The successful establishment of a good stand will have much to do with the yield outcomes at the end of the season.
There are many key aspects to establishing a good stand of sugarbeets. For simplicity, those choices can be broken down into two categories: rotational decisions of previous crop year(s), and current crop year decisions.
Before these imporant keys can be discussed however, an important question must first be answered. What is the right amount of stand needed to maximize the chances of a successful crop of sugarbeets? Research studies conducted in the recent past in both the Treasure and Magic Valleys suggest that having reasonably uniform stands of sugarbeets greater than 90 beets per 100 feet of row in the Treasure Valley and 120 beets per 100 feet of row in the Magic Valley is the minimum. Furthermore, the study results suggest that stands of sugarbeets ranging between 120-255 beets per 100 feet of row show no statistical difference between sugarbeet populations with respect to final yield. Therefore, when stands are anywhere within that population range, the stands of sugarbeets won’t have a notable effect on yield.
Just how high can you take a sugarbeet population then? Some argue that higher sugarbeet stands are better. It depends upon the situation, what variety of sugarbeet to be planted, soil type, general fertility, and more. The study results suggest that higher plant populations do not equal better yields. When the beets, due to higher populations, are small enough that they don’t make it from the field to the sugarbeet pile; or when they become very difficult or impossible to defoliate, then the upper limits of plant population are met. The actual number of sugarbeets necessary to have a robust stand of sugarbeets should be determined by the region, area, and grower field soil type. In most cases, growers will be well served with uniform sugarbeet stands ranging between 120 and 180 beets per 100 feet of row.
Rotational Decisions Of Previous Crop Year(S)
Chemical carryover. Each year sugarbeet stands are lost and fields abandoned because growers don’t know what chemicals were applied during the previous year, or the implications of their application. It is imperative, whether rented ground or owned ground, that the grower know and understand the chemical history of the past few years.
Begin making decisions years before that will have a positive impact on future sugarbeet stands. The knowledge that sugarbeets may be planted next year may suggest the reduction of the rates, timing and chemistries chosen for application. Reading and understanding the chemical label will help create a plan that leads to successfully addressing the potential chemical carryover issues.
As soil moisture, heat, time and usually tillage are all a part of the breakdown of previously applied chemicals, it is important to incorporate this knowledge into a mitigation plan. The best practice is to wait the labeled plant-back time and use suggested and applicable tillage practices. Sometimes waiting an additional year to safely plant, may be the best option.
Fertility. Knowledge of, and adaptations made for both high or low fertility in the effective root zone(s) of emerging sugarbeet seedlings is important to seedling survival and vigor. A representative soil sample taken at the same time each year, coupled with historical application amounts will aid in these types of decisions. Fertility that is too high in the germinating-emerging root zone can have negative effects upon stand. Adding the right fertility at the right place, rate, and time is the solution. In most situations, all fertility needs to be added and become available before the four true leaf stage of growth.
Residue management. If previous year’s carryover crop residues are too high, they may affect the seed-to-soil contact of the sugarbeet seed. Not having good seed-to-soil contact will generally negatively affect sugarbeet stand establishment. Some situations require the presence of more residue. For example, if the soil type is sandy, then leaving more residue on the surface or establishment of a cover crop will be necessary to prevent soil movement in the spring. Tillage practices should match soil types, residue management, and irrigation practices.
Diseases. If a disease, to include nematodes, was in the field in the past, it is probable that it will be an issue when sugarbeets are planted there again. Longer rotations and applicable management practices will help with diseases. Rhizomania, Rhizoctonia, Aphanomyces and Cercospora, all can persist in the soil for many years. Recognize that some crops in your rotation have the potential to increase disease inoculum in fields. To combat diseases, rotation management, variety selection, irrigation management, chemical treatments, and/or choosing a different field are some of the tools necessary to successfully establish a stand of sugarbeets.
Current Crop Year Decisions
Planter. When sugarbeet seeds don’t get planted they automatically become a skip and those skips never come up. A well-maintained planter will help avoid planting skips. Making sure planter boxes are uniformly filled and checked often, either manually or through electronic monitoring systems, will help make sure planting skips are minimized. Checking the planting depth often is crucial. Your Amalgamated Sugar Crop Consultant can help you check your planter using the planter test stand which helps identify worn parts, poor vacuum, and other planting issues.
Variety. Knowledge of past problems in fields to be planted such as disease, nematodes, vigor at emergence, and harvest quality issues (toppy … crown not grown out of ground) needs to be applied when ordering seed. Planting the right variety will make a difference. Choose wisely by attending Official Variety Trial (OVT) field days, reading and studying OVT results, analyzing on-farm historical data, and comparing to others growing at similar stations. These actions will serve as a solid foundation for variety selection.
Disease management. During this phase of stand establishment, the application of the “right” amount of water (and not too much) is key to minimizing seedling diseases. The dampening off of seedlings could mean you have Aphanomyces, Rhizoctonia, Pythium, or another soil borne pathogen. Stand establishment when these pathogens are present and active will be much more difficult. These pathogens need high moisture and proper soil temperatures to thrive. Managing moisture levels to just enough moisture for seedling survival and emergence, but not quite enough for the optimal growth pathogens is tricky, but necessary.
Seed bed preparation, moisture, and planting depth. Decisions about fall beds, spring beds, strip till, planting flat coupled with the soil type, water availability, and irrigation type all play a role in successful stand establishment. All combinations need management in order to establish a good stand. Growers that fall bed and plant into moisture in the spring will generally plant deeper than growers using other management practices. Growers who intend to water their sugarbeets up will want to plant shallow. Growers should plant as shallow as their respective field moisture situations allow. This may mean that some sugarbeets will need to be planted one-half inch to three-quarters inch deep in some fields and as deep as 1.25 inches or more in others. Plant as shallow as possible to keep seed moist during germination and stand establishment.
Pest management. Does the field have a history of wireworms or is the previous crop pasture? Scout, then choose and apply the right chemistry. Planting into stubble? Check for cut worm regularly. Does the field border waste ground or have you had a history of curly top? Select the right variety and scout. Be prepared to treat if sugarbeet leaf hoppers are found. Planting resistant sugarbeet varieties, scouting and treating for insects are all possible solutions for insect issues reducing stand.
Irrigation and crust management. Planted sugarbeet seed needs heat and constant moisture to begin the germination process. Once germinated, the seedling needs soil moisture to be maintained. Careful management is necessary to make sure that beets are not over or under irrigated. Wind skips from uneven irrigation can be a major cause of uneven stands. Constant monitoring of moisture levels making regular adjustments to rates and timing of applied irrigation. Offsetting of hand/wheel lines is a possible solution for wind skips.
Avoiding over irrigation that may contribute to the formation of thick crusts in the soil is important, as emerging sugarbeets don’t have much “push”. Irrigation management is key to avoid and to mitigating a crusting problem. Not irrigating to saturation sometimes reduces the amount of crusting. On the other hand, a heavy spring rainstorm can quickly cause the ground to crust as the top part of the profile is filled. If a crust exists, a light irrigation as sugarbeets make their last push will allow for easier emergence. Timely use of equipment to break up crusts can assist in the mitigation of crusts – especially in areas where overhead irrigation is unavailable.
To plant or to not plant. Each region and growing area has historical dates when the planting of sugarbeets is most likely to deliver successful stands of sugarbeets. Mother Nature at times ignores those dates. Wind, frost, hail and hard rains can have negative effects on stand establishment. Use historical planting information, coupled with the best forecasts to decide when to begin planting. When possible, plant in stages to not have all sugarbeets emerging in the same weather window.
Replanting. When evaluating a potential replant situation, do your homework. Ask questions like:
- Does the field have enough sugarbeets up currently?
- Are there more sugarbeets yet to emerge?
- Are emerged and emerging sugarbeets healthy?
- What is the minimum average stand count that you find acceptable?
- Have you had your Crop Consultant out to evaluate your fields?
- Do you have access to a planter that will leave a higher percentage of existing sugarbeets as you try to sweeten up sugarbeet stands?
Remember, there is no guarantee that replants will produce better sugarbeet stands. Successful sugarbeet stand establishment often hinges upon growers making the right series of decisions and paying close attention to detail.
Decisions made during the previous year, coupled with in-season crop year decisions will impact the type of sugarbeet stands that will be established. While second guessing Mother Nature is tricky, choosing the right day to plant as it relates to the future weather conditions when sugarbeet seedlings will be emerging is important. Establishing reasonably uniform stands of sugarbeets greater that 120 beets per 100 feet of row or more, greatly enhances the possibilities of having yield success at harvest. The decisions you make will have an effect on stand establishment and on the final yields.