Abstract
Michigan sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) nutrient management
guidelines suggest 157-179 kg N ha-1 (140-160 lbs. N A-1)
which may include an initial 44.8 kg N ha-1 (40 lbs. N A-1)
applied at planting for a yield potential of 67.2 Mg ha-1 (30
tons A-1). While individually added inputs associated with
yield gaps were previously investigated, nutrient interactions
from added inputs when combined with a standard
N program (SN) have not been explored. This study investigated
sugarbeet response to SN combined with various
nutrients or soil amendments across varying levels of management
intensity. In 2022, SN treatment averaged 90.1 Mg
ha-1 (40.2 T A-1), 148.4 kg Mg-1, (296.8 lbs. T-1) and 13,327.9
kg ha-1 (11,890.9 lbs. A-1). The addition of in-furrow P negatively
impacted average root yield and recoverable sugar
by -15.5 Mg ha-1 (-6.9 T A-1) and -2,325.7 kg ha-1, (-2,074.9
lbs. A-1) respectively. In 2023, pre-plant broadcast lime,
in-furrow P, and intensive management increased average
root yield by 13.7 (6.1), 11.9 (5.3), and 13.2 (5.9) Mg ha-1 (T
A-1), respectively. The intensive management and pre-plant
broadcast lime increased average recoverable sugar per Mg
by +7.1 (+14.2) and +8.4 (+16.8) kg Mg-1 (lbs. T-1), respectively,
while also improving average recoverable sugar per
hectare by +2,329.8 (+2,078.6) and +2,278.0 (+2,032.4)
kg ha-1 (lbs. A-1), respectively. All fertilizer treatments increased
average treatment costs relative to SN in 2022
(USD 27.9–2,150.0 ha-1; USD 11.3–870.1 A-1) and 2023
(USD 27.9–1,671.8 ha-1; USD 11.3–676.6 A-1). However,
agricultural lime and in-furrow P increased the 2023 average
potential profit by USD 1,109.1 ha-1 (USD 448.8 A-1)
and USD 1,078.2 ha-1 (USD 436.3 A-1), respectively. These
findings demonstrate that the agronomic and economic
benefits of added nutrient inputs in sugarbeet production
depend on site-year conditions, reinforcing the need for
site-specific management to close yield gaps and maximize
profitability.