details cultivation practices of sugarbeet

1. Sugar beet
Botanical Name :- Beta Vulgaris
Family:- Chenopodiaceae
Local name:- Sharkarakand, Beet.
Origin-Mediterranean Region
-Sugar beet is cultivated mostly in temperate region.
- It is a biennial crop but usually cultivated as an annual crop for sugar
and for the seed production till second year.
-Sugar beet has a larger tap root and reduced stem.

2. Economic importance:-
-It provides about 44% of world sugar production.
-It produces about 50 – 70 tonnes of roots/ha.
-sugar content of 15-16% & on an average sugar recovery of 10-12 %.
Dry pulp contains 60% carbohydrates (CHO), 5% protein.
-The molasses can be used for feed and manufacturing Citric acid,
Yeast, antibiotics.
-Sugarbeet also yields 7-10 tonnes of green tops useful as a fodder to
cattle or for green manuring.
-Sugarbeet is useful for cultivation on salty soils where Sugarcane is
poorly yielding.

3. Soil and Climate:-
Soil:-
-can be grown in well-drained sandy loam to clays loam soils.
- Heavy soils should be avoided.
-It can grown saline alkaline soils with pH value as high as 9.5.
Climate:-
-Temperate & cold climate
- It is highly versatile & can be raised successfully in any region with
temperature ranging from 12 to 45ºC.
-Germination-15 ºC
-Growth & sugar accumulation-20-22ºC is

4. Land preparation:-
-Sugarbeet requires good firm seedbed.
-Field can be prepared by 1- deep plough.
-Followed by 2 to 3 cross harrowings.
-Planking should be done to make seedbed smooth.
-FYM – 20-30 t/ha – last harrowing.
Seeds & Sowing:-
Sowing Time – 15th October – 15th November
Spacing - 45-60 x 20-25 cm
Methods of Sowing: Dibbling
Dibbling: 2-3 seeds dibbled at a distance of 20-25 cm on both sides of
the ridge
Sowing Depth: 4-5cm
Seed Rate: - 8-10kg/ha
Seed Treatment: To ensure better germination, seeds are soaked in plain
water for 4-5 hours.
Plant population – 80,000- 1,00,000/ha.

5. Varieties:-
US-35, US-75, Maribo Anglo Poly, Maribo Resista Poly, Triplex, Maribo
magna Poly, shows good performance in Indian conditions.
In Maharashtra- Maribo Resista Poly, Triplex is good .
Manures & Fertilizers: -
FYM – 20-30 t/ha
N:P:K
100-120 kg/ha :80-120 kg/ha :100-120 kg/ha.
Weed control:-
The crop should be kept weed free at least for the first 35-45 days.
Approximately 3-4 hand weeding are enough to maintain weed free crop
for the good yield.
Chemical weed control:- Pendimethalin herbicide @ 1-1.5 kg a.i./ha +
500 liter water as pre- emergence spray.

6. Earthing up:-
-The soil should be little loosened and earthing up of the crop should be
done in December after finishing the last top dressing of ‘N’ fertilizer.
Water Management:-
-The crop can not tolerate drought.
- hence it is very sensitive to inadequate water supply
- excessive irrigation is highly detrimental to the root quality of the
crop.
-Interval of irrigation – 10-12 days.
-Lighter & frequent irrigations are better than heavier irrigations.

7. Harvesting & Yield:-
-It has been found that sugar in roots is about 10% at the beginning of
February, gradually increases to 15-16% - Mid of March.
-Brix reading above 19º.
-At the time of harvesting there must be enough moisture in field to
facilitate harvesting.
-The harvesting may be done by running a plough along the rows on
both sides.
-Also roots are pulled by kudali.
-The roots should not be washed with water as it causes a rapid
deterioration.
Yield: -35-50 tonnes/ha – beet roots
- 8 – 10 tonnes of green tops/ha

8. Thank You