Beets - Fertility

Nitrogen

If manure is applied or legume sod is plowed down, reduce the nitrogen (N) application. (See Table 1-8, Adjustment of Nitrogen Requirement Where Sod Containing Legumes Is Plowed Down, and Table 1-7, Average Amounts of Available Nutrients for Different Types of Manure, on page 9.)

Broadcast and incorporate all the recommended preplant nitrogen along with the recommended potash and phosphate. On mineral soils, apply the remainder of the nitrogen as a side-dress application. See Table 9-9, Table Beet Nitrogen Recommendations.

Table 9-9. Table Beet Nitrogen Recommendations

Phosphorus

Test the soil to determine phosphorus requirements. Where the soil test values are 61 mg P per L soil (ppm) or higher, beets grown on both mineral and muck soils are unlikely to respond to additional phosphate applications. For soils testing lower than 61 mg P per L (ppm), see Table 1-10, Phosphorus Requirements: Vegetables on Mineral Soils, on page 12, or Table 1-11, Phosphorus and Potassium Requirements: Vegetables on Muck Soils, on page 13.

Potassium

Test the soil to determine potassium requirements. Where the soil test values are 181 mg K per L soil (ppm) or higher, beets grown on both mineral and muck soils are unlikely to respond to additional potash applications. For soils testing lower than 181 mg K per L (ppm), see Table 1-12, Potassium Requirements: Vegetables on Mineral Soils, on page 14, or Table 1-11, Phosphorus and Potassium Requirements: Vegetables on Muck Soils, on page 13.

Micronutrients

Crops vary greatly in their response to micronutrient fertilizers. For complete information, see the section Micronutrients, on page 16.

Boron

Boron deficiency shows up as a corky, dark discolouration of internal tissues. It is most likely to occur on alkaline soils after prolonged hot, dry periods. See the section Boron, on page 17, and Table 1-13, Application Rates for Magnesium, Calcium and Micronutrients, on page 16.

Manganese

Deficient plants show marked yellowing between the leaf veins; the veins themselves remain green. To correct a deficiency, spray with manganese sulfate. See the section Manganese, on page 18, and Table 1-13, Application Rates for Magnesium, Calcium and Micronutrients, on page 16.

Plant Analysis

When used in conjunction with a soil analysis, plant analysis can be useful for diagnosing crop problems or for evaluating a fertilizer program. The objective of a good fertilizer program is to maintain tissue nutrient concentrations on the lower side of the range. Attempting to bring the nutrient analysis up to the higher end of the range could possibly result in over-fertilization and may not be economical.
See Table 9-10, Table Beets Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges. Only use sufficiency ranges as a reference and a guideline. Plant analysis does not replace soil testing, or a sound soil fertility program.
For more information, see the section Plant Analysis, on page 3.

Table 9-10. Table Beets Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges

Adapted from Maynard, D.N., and G.J. Hochmuth. 1997. Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers, 4th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.

Plant Part: Leaf Blades

ppm = parts per million

Related Links

• Publication 363 - Vegetable Production Recommendations

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