Michigan State University Extension
Soils & Soil Management - Fertilizer - 06029715
07/10/97
Fertilizer Recommendations for Field Crops in Michigan Extension Bulletin E-550A, March 1992
D. R. Christenson, D. D. Warncke, M. L. Vitosh, L. W. Jacobs and J. G. Dahl, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Fertilizer for sugar beets may be applied in a band 2 inches to the side and 2 inches below the seed. On soils testing above 60 pounds of phosphorus, there is little chance of a yield increase from banded fertilizer except where manganese is needed.
If the soil pH is above 6.5, manganese may be needed for sugar beet production and the soil should be tested for manganese. See (Vis. 4) for manganese recommendations based on a soil test. The most efficient method of applying manganese is with the starter fertilizer banded to the side and below the seed.
The quality of sugar beets is affected very markedly by applied nitrogen. Research studies show the sugar concentration and yield are maximized by using 4 pounds of nitrogen per acre for each ton of expected yield. This amounts to 80 to 100 pounds of N per acre for yields of 20 to 25 tons per acre.
Mineral Soils-Nitrogen, phosphate (P2O5) and potash (K2O) recommendations for sugar beets are given in (Vis. 14).
Organic Soils-Producing sugar beets on organic soils is not generally practiced because poor quality sugar beets are generally produced. Fertilizer recommendations are included in (Vis. 16), (Vis. 17), (Vis. 18) for those cases where production is necessary.
