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ARS Home » Plains Area » Temple, Texas » Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421497

Research Project: Enhancing Cropping System and Grassland Sustainability in the Texas Gulf Coast Region by Managing Systems for Productivity and Resilience

Location: Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory

Title: Understanding the role of active carbon in sugarbeet cropping systems

Author
item SCHOTT, LINDA - University Of Idaho
item AGIN, ANA - University Of Idaho
item OLSEN, DAVEY - Amalgamated Sugar Company
item Krecker-Yost, Jenifer

Submitted to: The Sugarbeet
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2024
Publication Date: 3/1/2024
Citation: Schott, L.R., Agin, A., Olsen, D., Krecker-Yost, J.L. 2024. Understanding the Role of Active Carbon in Sugarbeet Cropping Systems. The Sugarbeet. 24-26.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soil health assessment is critical for sustainable sugarbeet production in Southern Idaho, yet the applicability of permanganate oxidizable carbon (POxC) as an indicator remains uncertain. A 2023 study evaluated soil health and crop performance across 12 sugarbeet fields under four management practices: conventional tillage, manure/compost addition, strip tillage with cover crops, and no-till. Soil properties, including POxC, bulk density, aggregate stability, penetration resistance, and fertility, were measured at key crop growth stages, while sugarbeet yield and quality were assessed at harvest. POxC values did not differ significantly among management practices, likely due to high intra-field variability (5–20%). Strip tillage with cover crops exhibited the highest aggregate stability (3.7 mm), while no-till demonstrated increased resistance to penetration. However, no significant differences were observed in root yield, which averaged 33.5 T ac'¹ in conventional systems and ranged from 29.0 to 34.1 T ac'¹ across alternative practices. Preliminary analyses found no correlations between POxC and crop yield, aggregate stability, or compaction, highlighting the complexity of soil-crop interactions. These findings suggest that while POxC is a sensitive measure of management impact, its direct relevance to sugarbeet production characteristics is limited. Further studies will investigate additional soil health metrics and replicate the study in 2024.