In this episode, AgroTroia's "Success in Agriculture" program was a guest at a sugar beet field on the Dernekkırı Plain in Bileciler village, Adapazarı, Sakarya. With the participation of AgroTroia regional dealer Hüseyin Bey, agricultural engineer Serkan, grower Ayhan abi, and his team, plant nutrition in sugar beet was discussed. The story of a grower who obtained higher yield despite using many times less fertilizer than neighboring fields revealed how the correct nutrition program in beet both lowers cost and increases yield.
High Tonnage with Little Fertilizer
On this plain, one of the most fertile lands in the country, the grower explained that last year, while his neighbor used 150 kg of granular fertilizer in corn, he completed his nutrition program with only 30 kg of granular fertilizer, yet still obtained one and a half tons more produce than his neighbor. The same approach was applied in beet: after a measured base fertilizer, the rest of the nutrition was supplemented from foliar and root with Fors. The grower emphasized that if half the plain were fed with this method, the savings on fertilizer would be enormous. The goal in the field was to achieve high tonnage per decare along with a 14-15 polar ratio.
Soil Improvement and Loosening
The continuous use of granular fertilizer locking up the soil and situations where the plow would not penetrate were mentioned. For soil improvement, cultural preparation was done first; with the application of Liquid S80, the soil pH was lowered somewhat, the soil loosened, and the air content increased. According to what the engineer conveyed, this ensured better germination of the seed during the germination period and good development of the root structure. Thanks to the use of sulfur, the soil was dissolved, a "lovely soil smell" was noticed during tillage, the tractor was not strained, and savings were made on diesel.
Nutrition Program and Calcium Against Cracking
After measured urea and phosphorus fertilizer were applied as base fertilizer, following tillage, with the application of Activo the vascular bundles in the plant were opened and the plant was made to work all at once; these applications, made together with Copperas, kept the plant strong. Against cracking, Calcio was applied in advance, both preventing cracking and strengthening the plant's tissue; the calcium uptake problem caused by lock-up was thus overcome. Three months before harvest, the plant was observed to be clean and free of pests and fungus; it was noted that in the following period the Fors application would be made to grow the tuber and increase the sugar content.
Fusarium and Leaf Spot Disease
The two most common fungal infections in beet are fusarium root rot and cercospora leaf spot disease. Fusarium root rot increases in very hot or very humid years; brown spots, rot, and drying are seen in cross-section. Control is essential at the first sign. Leaf spot disease, on the other hand, starts on old leaves with round spots that are red on the outside and gray on the inside; when it dries the leaf, the plant keeps trying to put out new leaves and cannot develop the tuber that should actually be developing. It is recommended not to neglect monitoring in humid years and to begin control at the first sign.
Quality Criteria in Beet
In a good beet, both high tonnage and high polar (sugar ratio) are sought. Tonnage benefits the farmer, while the polar ratio benefits both the farmer and the factory; high polar directly increases the amount of sugar obtained at the factory. A plant that is free of disease and pests with high polar means profit for everyone. The program also reported that growers working with AgroTroia are provided field support with autonomous and remote-controlled spraying-fertilization and mowing machines.
Featured AgroTroia products in this episode
Fors - nutrition that lowers granular fertilizer cost and increases tonnage and sugar ratio
Liquid S80 - liquid sulfur that dissolves soil and lowers pH
Activo - nutrition that opens the vascular bundles and activates the plant
Copperas - copper-based nutrition that supports healthy development
Calcio - calcium support that prevents cracking and strengthens tissue
This field in Bileciler village showed that in sugar beet, higher yield and polar can be obtained with low inputs instead of 150 kg of fertilizer. When soil loosening, calcium against cracking, and early control against fungal diseases come together, costs drop and both the farmer and the factory win.
Source: AgroTroia – "Success in Agriculture" program, sponsored by AgroTroia.