Growth of Sugar Beets as Affected by Root Temperatures Part I: Greenhouse Studies1

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Abstract
Sugar beets (Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera) were grown in the greenhouse at 10 different constant root temperatures. The temperature intervals were maintained at 2.8 C between 12.8 and 37.8 C. Optimum root temperature for sugar beet emergence occurred in the range of 25–35 C. The optimum root temperature for dry matter production in sugar beet tops progressively decreased from 26.3 C at 6 weeks following emergence to 23C at 13 weeks following emergence. Optimum temperatures for sugar beet roots remained between 24 and 25 C for the 7‐week period. Percent sucrose in the sugar beet roots increased with root temperatures above 19 C. High sucrose yields were obtained between 18 and 32 C, with rapid decreases outside of this range. Concentrations of N, P, K, and Na in the sugar beet tops and roots were not dependent on root temperatures; thus, the total uptake of these nutrients was directly proportional to dry matter accumulation in the plant.

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