Bruce Sundeen 0:00
This is the sugarbeet report, bringing you the latest information from NDSU throughout the sugarbeet growing season, what is the most effective formula for sugarbeet when it comes to row spacing and the number of plants per row? To answer these questions, we're talking with Mohamed Khan, extension sugarbeet, specialist at NDSU and the University of Minnesota, Mohamed, what's the recommended plant population to get the highest yield and sugarbeet. Our research
Mohamed Khan 0:27
here at North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota have demonstrated that a plant population of 100 to 200 uniformly spaced plants per 104 of 22 inch wide rules consistently resulted in a maximum recovery of sucrose per acre.
Bruce Sundeen 0:45
To all growers in Minnesota and North Dakota use 22 inch rows.
Mohamed Khan 0:50
No, we have a small number of growers with 30 inch rows. These growers you start intros to facilitate their other equipment and machinery set for 30 inch rows and other crops in rotation, including corn and soybean. Growers with 30 inch rows should strive for at least 225 plants per 100 foot of room to get a high quality sugarbeet crop.
Bruce Sundeen 1:15
We've had a very wet spring and heavy rainfall in April and May and that's delayed sugarbeet planting. At this point, what kind of planting advice do you have for sugarbeet producers.
Mohamed Khan 1:26
Ideally, it is best to plant sugarbeet in our region in April to get a long as possible growing season. Unfortunately, wet field conditions have delayed planting. We all need to wait until fields dry out to facilitate planting. Girls have ordered the best sugarbeet seed varieties for their respective fields. There will be adequate moisture and a relatively warm seed bed that will facilitate rapid and uniform seedling emergence after planting. These conditions will mean that seedling emergence will likely be higher than 70% rather than the 62%. We typically get with early planting in cooler soils, higher plant populations from a normal seeding rate. We'll be able to utilize the available moisture and nitrogen to provide a high quality crop with acceptable tonnage.
Bruce Sundeen 2:22
Is there any practice you recommend to protect sugarbeet seedlings?
Mohamed Khan 2:26
Yes, the use of cover crops such as oats, barley and wheat helped to prevent reduction in plant stand from high winds reduce soil erosion, and also help to conserve moisture after they are killed off herbicide. I encourage growers to use cover crops, especially in fields that are known to have a history of blowing during high wind events which is common in spring.
Bruce Sundeen 2:51
Any final thoughts Mohamed?
Mohamed Khan 2:53
I implore you to please be patient. Planting sugarbeet is one of our most expensive operations. We need to ensure that we plant once so that we have a good plan Stan that will lay the foundation for a solid sugarbeet crop.
Bruce Sundeen 3:08
Thanks Mohamed. Our guest this week has been Mohamed Khan, extension sugarbeet specialist at NDSU and the University of Minnesota. This is the sugarbeet report, bringing you the latest information from NDSU throughout the sugarbeet growing season
Transcribed by https://otter.ai