Characteristics of mineral fertilization of sugar beet:

Sugar beet is sensitive to soil conditions. Sugar beet removes 160 kg of nitrogen, 65 kg of phosphorus and 260 kg of potassium from 1 ha with the crop yield of 40 c/ha.

• It is advisable to apply organic fertilizers in fall – as sugar beet has a prolonged vegetation period, the nutrients are taken up from this source very well.
• Sugar beet is a potassium-demanding crop and it needs higher doses of potassium.
• The crop is sensitive to the shortage of boron and manganese, if a plant lacks these elements, brown heart usually develops, and sugar content as well as crop yield fall down.
• Potassium improves the quality of roots, reduces transportation costs.
• The most favorable pH rate for sugar beet 6,5?7,5.
• In respect of the take up of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (especially phosphorus) first 10-15 days after emergence are critical.
• Every kilogram of nitrogen increases the yield crop growth by 50 to 60 kg/ha.

Timing of mineral fertilizers application:

• Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are usually applied in fall during the basic cultivation. Small doses of phosphorus (10-20 kg/ha) should be applied in rows during sowing (NPK 21?7?12?2).
• In the period of intensive leaves growth sugar beet consumes a lot of nitrogen and potassium.
• The maximum nutrients consumption happens during the roots formation. In this period additional nutrition with complex mineral fertilizers is the most effective.
• Increased amounts of nitrogen are applied by dosing – 90-100 kg/ha on primary nutrient basis during the major application in spring prior to sowing, and 30 - 40 kg/ha on primary nutrient basis during additional nutrition after thinning out and interrow loosening.
• From nitrogen fertilizers calcium-ammonium nitrate, calcium-nitrogen-sulphate, and nitrogen-sulphate are preferable (work better then usual nitrates).
• Foliar nutrition with the major nutrients and microelements is a good method to increase the crop yield.

Timing and standards for application of mineral fertilizers produced by URALCHEM in order to achieve the planned yield level, kg/ha: