How to grow Tropical Sugar Beet
2Pages

Technical Information • Sugar beet can be cultivated on a wide range of soils but a it may be useful to sow at a higher density and to have a deep soil (> 1 m) is better adapted to its long tap root. The light thinning once the crop is well established. crop grows well between pH 4 to 9 and tolerates saline soils better than sugar cane. • Sugar beet can be sown by hand or mechanically, 1 seed per hole, either on a flat bed (50 cm between rows and 16-17 • Soil preparation is similar to other crops. But extra care cm between plants for a sowing density of 1,2 unit/ha) or on should be taken to have a thin seedbed: one or several ridges, which can be very practical for irrigation. harrowing is needed after plowing in order to break the clods. The ideal sowing depth is 2.5 cm (maximum 3 cm). • Tropical sugar beet is monogerm: a single plant comes out Soil structure should be maintained in order to avoid water of each seed and therefore thinning is not needed. clogging and the lack of oxygen in the soil. The optimum population is ±100.000 plants/ha (42.000 plants/a). This can generally be achieved with an initial sowing density of ±1.2 unit/ha (considering a 80-85% germination rate and knowing that each unit contains 100.000 seeds). But, if difficult conditions are expected at emergence. The ideal sowing period will depend on the region where sugar beet is grown (climate and crop rotation); an appropriate sowing window would have to combine warm temperatures on a well drained soil, and will have to be followed by mild rainfalls. • A single application of mineral NPK (default rate: 120-75-75 kg/ha) 1 or 2 weeks before sowing is needed. N can also be applied as organic manure earlier in the season. There is no point to give N after canopy closure: the tap root of sugar beet is very efficient and can pump N deep in the ground until late in the season. There is no point to give too much N: it will lower the sugar content and sugar extractability in the root and it will not improve the final white sugar yield. 3. Weed control • Weed control is very important from sowing until canopy closure (± 1 or 2 months after sowing). It can be done by hand, mechanically or chemically. Weed control is very important and can be done manually

4. Irrigation • At sowing: If soil temperature is > 35°C, irrigate directly after or even before sowing; to cool down the soil. Until emergence is completed: it is essential to maintain good soil moisture. Once emergence is completed, irrigation is needed ± every 10-15 days After emergence: irrigation will be needed ± every 10-15 days, depending on the evolution of soil moisture and on rainfalls. In any case irrigation should be stopped 1 week before harvest. diseases management • Our seeds can be coated with plant protection products that will protect the crop against most early attacks of...