Magnesium and sulphur effects on sugar beet yield
Magnesium and sulphur are both important components of chlorophyll, among other other roles and are therefore vital for photosynthesis and yield development.
Magnesium deficiency reduces sugar-beet yield
Magnesium is a vital constituent of plant chlorophyll. It also activates many enzyme reactions within the plant and is needed for the movement of phosphorus into and around the plant. A correct level of magnesium improves crop establishment.
The magnesium uptake of a 50 t/ha sugar beet crop is approximate 44 kg Mg/ha, with 24 kg/ha in the leaves and 20 kg/ha in the roots.
When plants suffer from magnesium deficiency the translocation of the products of photosynthesis from leaves into actively growing parts of plants is severely reduced leading to reduced growth and development as shown in sugar beet and bean plants (Hermans et al. 2006; Çakmak and Kirkby 2008).
A balanced nutrition programme including magnesium will increase sugar yield.
Sulphur is an essential nutrient for sugar beet
Sulphur is an important component of all proteins and enzymes, and with the protein in greatest quantity being chlorophyll, deficiency can severely reduce yield. The sulphur uptake of a 50 t/ha sugar beet crop is approximate 32 kg S/ha, with 14 kg/ha in the leaves and 18 kg/ha in the roots.
Plants low in sulphur cannot make full use of nitrogen, so sulfur deficiency symptoms are often very similar to those of nitrogen such as low chlorophyll production. However the distinguishing feature is that due to poor plant mobility, the symptoms appear first in the youngest leaves.
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Nitrogen and sugar beet yield
Nitrogen is the nutrient with the greatest influence on sugar beet yield. It is a key component of enzymes, vitamins, chlorophyll and other cell constituents, which are essential for crop growth and yield.
Phosphorus and sugar-beet yield
Phosphorus is a component of nucleic acids and lipids and is important in the production and transport of sugars, fat and protein during sugar beet production.
Potassium and sodium and sugar beet yield
Potassium and sodium both have an important role in the regulation of water within the plant with deficiency having effects on the growth, development and yield.
Micronutrients and sugar beet yield
Micronutrients, particularly boron, copper, manganese and zinc all have essential roles in sugar beet and a deficiency of any one will result in reduced yield or quality.
