Sugar beet trials in Otago and Southland 1936–1976

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Abstract
An outline is given of experimental work conducted on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) in Otago and Southland mainly by officers of the Department of Agriculture. On average, the sugar beet crops yielded 50–60 t/ha of roots containing 16–18% sucrose. Yields, however, were variable as a result of diverse conditions of climate and management. Times of sowing and harvest were briefly investigated and high-lighted the need to sow before the end of October and harvest before mid April to avoid losses in root yields. A number of fertiliser trials were undertaken and superphosphate, potassium, and nitrogen gave significant yield responses. A large number of varieties from many countries were tested, including natural, rubbed, monogerm, and polyploid seed. In general, there was little varietal difference in sucrose production, although monogerm and rubbed seed produced higher proportions of single plants, reducing labour requirements considerably. Weed control using herbicides was investigated over two seasons and was found to increase sucrose yields significantly and facilitate the use of specialised machinery. This machinery was used in mechanisation trials which demonstrated that sugar beet can be grown and harvested successfully without the need for manual operations.

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