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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #399862
Research Project: Developing Resilient Irrigated Cropping Systems in Concentrated Dairy Production Areas of the Semi-arid West

Location: Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research

Title: Nitrogen management in northwest U.S. sugarbeet production

Author
item Tarkalson, David
item OLSEN, DAVEY - Amalgamated Sugar Company
item Bjorneberg, David - Dave

Submitted to: Journal of Sugar Beet Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/13/2023
Publication Date: 2/24/2023
Citation: Tarkalson, D.D., Olsen, D., Bjorneberg, D.L. 2023. Nitrogen management in northwest U.S. sugarbeet production. Journal of Sugar Beet Research. 60:1:1-15.

Interpretive Summary: Nitrogen (N) management is important in sugarbeet production. This study was conducted to continue to fine-tune N management in the Northwest U.S. sugar beet growing area. In 2018 and 2019, field studies were conducted at 6 locations by agronomists from The Amalgamated Sugar Company and scientists at the USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory in Kimberly, Idaho. The purpose was to evaluate the effect of N supply on sugarbeet production. Five of the studies had significant relationship between N supply and sucrose or root yield. The N supply required to maximize sucrose yields in the 5 responsive sites ranged from 145 to 258 kg N per ha. Data from our study supports past research showing that a Static Range N Management (SRNM) approach is valid as an alternative to a Yield Goal N Management approach which often leads to an over-supply of N. We suggest that sugarbeet growers determine N supply from a representative 0 to 0.9 m soil samples and employ a SRNM approach to N management. Continued research over time may be required to further fine tune the SRNM N range.

Technical Abstract: Nitrogen (N) management is important in sugar beet production. This study was conducted to continue to fine-tune N management in the Northwest U.S. sugarbeet growing area. In 2018 and 2019, field studies were conducted at 6 locations by agronomists from The Amalgamated Sugar Company and scientists at the USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory in Kimberly, Idaho. The purpose was to evaluate the effect of N supply (fertilizer N + soil available N) on sugarbeet production. Five of the studies had a significant relationship between N supply and sucrose or root yield. The N supply required to maximize sucrose yields in the 5 responsive sites ranged from 145 to 258 kg N per ha. Data from our study supports past research showing that a Static Range N Management (SRNM) approach is valid as an alternative to a Yield Goal N Management approach which often leads to an over-supply of N. The average N supply required to maximize yields in our study was only 1 kg N per ha greater than that identified in our 2005-2011 study conducted in the same area (203 kg N per ha vs 202 kg N per ha). However, although optimal N supply was similar, the average maximum yield in this study was 22.2 percent greater than in the 2005 to 2011 studies. We suggest that sugarbeet growers determine N supply from a representative 0 to 0.9 m soil samples and employ a SRNM approach to N management. Continued research over time may be required to further fine tune the SRNM N range.