The response of sugar beet to potassium and sodium fertilizers

Durrant

1976

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SummaryTwenty experiments between 1970 and 1974 tested the effect of spring applications of all combinations of five amounts of potassium (0–333 kg K/ha) and two amounts of sodium (0, 150 kg Na/ha) on sugar-beet yield, profitability and the amount of K and Na in the crop in mid-summer. The experiments were in commercial sugar-beet crops where soils contained little exchangeable potassium, most having less than 100 mg K/l in top soil. On average, sugar yield was greatest when 150 kg Na/ha plus 167 kg K was used, the fertilizer increasing yield by 0·71 t/ha. Response to this combination of K and Na fertilizers was 1·45, 0·57 and 0·22 t sugar/ha when the soil contained less than 60, 61–120 and more than 120 mg K/l respectively.From results of earlier experiments, it was thought that response to even a large amount of K without Na would be less than to Na without K because usually there is insufficient rainfall in the spring for maximum response to K. In fact, 333 kg K/ha increased yield by about the same amount as Na, probably because a large proportion of these experiments were made in wetter-than-average springs.The concentration of K in dried tops and roots in mid-summer increased linearly with soils containing from 40 to 120 mg K/l but when there was more K in the soil the concentration of K in the plants did not increase further. By contrast, the concentration of Na in plants did not reach a similar plateau. Whole plants in mid-summer contained between 128 and 251 kg K/ha and 42–102 kg Na/ha, depending on the fertilizer treatment. Recovery of applied K varied from 90% when small amounts were used on fields containing least K to about 20% when large amounts were given on fields containing moderate amounts. Recovery of Na varied from about 50 to 23%.The comparison of the financial return from using K alone or K plus Na showed that Na was essential for maximum profit. On average, the most profitable dressing of K gave a return of £14/ha whereas K plus Na gave up to £46/ha. On fields with least K, the corresponding results were £50 and £115/ha respectively. In relation to soil K, the most profitable application was 150 kg Na/ha plus about 150 kg K/ha on soils with 60 mg K/l or less, and 150 kg Na/ha plus about 75 kg K/ha on most other soils.

Section: Effect Of K and Na On Yieldcontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Effect of spring rainfall, and time of fertilizer application and sowing We concluded (Durrant, Draycott & Boyd, 1974) that the relative response to K or Na partly depends on rainfall in March and April. As shown in Table 4, this was substantiated by the results of these experiments.…”

Section: Effect Of K and Na On Yieldmentioning

confidence: 93%

Response by sugar beet to potassium and sodium fertilizers, particularly in relation to soils containing little exchangeable potassium

Durrant

1976

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“…Many previous experiments have shown that sodium chloride is a valuable fertilizer for sugar beet and necessary for maximum profit (e.g. Durrant et al 1974). Many growers in England, however, still do not use it, although experiments and associated publicity during the late 1960s and early 1970s helped to increase its use from 45% of the crop area in 1973 to 63% in 1979.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A review of experiments made between 1957 and 1969 (Durrant et al 1974) showed that when sugar beet was grown on soil containing more than 120mg exchangeable K/l, a maintenance dressing only of 75 kg KjO/ha was justified because there was little response to fresh potassium. In the current experiments, three amounts of potassium were included which allows this recommendation to be checked because soils from 33 out of the 36 fields contained more than 120 mg K/l (Appendix Table 2).…”

Section: Response To Potassium Chloridementioning

confidence: 99%

Response by sugar beet to various amounts and times of application of sodium chloride fertilizer in relation to soil type

Bugg

1982

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SUMMARYTwo-thirds of the sugar-beet crop in the U.K. receives sodium chloride as part of the fertilizer programme. It is well known that the crop responds profitably on sandy soils which contain relatively little sodium and potassium, and most of these fields now receive sodium chloride. Few crops on clays, silts and organic soils are treated because the value of sodium chloride has never been clearly defined. Thus 36 field experiments were made over the 5 years 1975–9 on contrasting soil types testing five amounts of sodium chloride, 0, 100, 200, 400 and 800 kg/ha, and at two times, either autumn or spring. All the fields chosen were in continuous arable rotations where potassium chloride was applied regularly and nearly all the soils contained more than 120 mg exchangeable K/l.Sodium chloride (400 kg/ha costing £12) increased sugar yield on average by about 0·2 t/ha (worth £40) on the mineral soils but no crop responded on organic soil. Exchangeable soil sodium concentration was not a good predictive test of which fields would respond but all the large increases in yield were on fields with less than 20 mg Na/1. A few crops responded on soils with 20–40 mg Na/1 but no crop responded on soil with more than 40 mg Na/1. A survey of sodium concentrations in 800 soils showed that most mineral soils contained less than 40 mg Na/1 so it is suggested that all mineral soils regardless of texture should receive 400 kg sodium chloride/ha. Crops on organic soils did not respond to sodium chloride because the soils already contained sufficient.Autumn and spring applications of sodium chloride on mineral soils gave similar increases in yield provided the fertilizer was not applied just before sowing, when in 2 years it decreased plant establishment. This effect was particularly damaging on clays and silts where it is frequently difficult for other reasons to obtain good seed beds and full establishment. It is concluded that sodium-containing fertilizers should always be applied well ahead of sowing to allow rainfall and cultivations to incorporate them into the soil. On clays and silts it is suggested that they should be applied before ploughing to avoid soil compaction but on sands there may be advantages in post-ploughing application.

“…more than K fertilizer and at less cost (e.g. Boyd, There have been few measurements or specific Garner & Haines, 1957;Durrant, Draycott & Boyd, observations of the effects of Na dressings on soil 1974a), few experiments were made on silty or clay-structure in field experiments with sugar beet in textured soils. On soil so classified, many growers England to help resolve the difference in the views assume (usually without any tangible evidence) expressed by growers and scientists.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sodium and Potassium Fertilizer in Relation to Soil Physical Properties and sugar-beet yield

Durrant

Davies³

et al. 1976

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SummaryDespite much experimental evidence showing that sodium fertilizer increases sugar–beet yield and decreases need for potassium, there is resistance to its use on some soil types through fears of deterioration in soil structure. Twelve field experiments with sugar beet were made in Eastern England, testing all combinations of autumn and spring applications of 0, 150 and 300 kg Na/ha and 0, 83 and 333 kg K/ha. Fields were chosen with soils of loamy very fine sand, very fine sandy loam, sandy clay loam and clay loam textures. Micro–plot and controlled environment studies were also made with the same soils to examine effects of sodium on seedling emergence and growth.Visual assessments of soil physical state following sodium application revealed no effect in the year sugar beet was grown nor in the following spring when cereals were grown. Measurements of physical properties of soils treated with sodium suggested that applications of several times the recommended amounts of sodium fertilizer would not damage soil structure. However, sodium fertilizer increased the osmotic suction of soil solution which, under some circumstances, e.g. dry springs or giving the fertilizer close to the time of sowing, decreased germination and seedling growth. For this reason and not because it has a detrimental effect on soil physical condition, sodium fertilizer best given in the autumn or some weeks before sowing.