Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Effects in Michigan Sugarbeet Production

摘要

Spring weather variability and early planting dates increase the opportunity for leaching, denitrification, and volatilization leading to nitrogen (N) losses in non-irrigated sugarbeet production systems. Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEF) may provide greater flexibility for spring N management programs by lengthening the potential application period while reducing nutrient loss and increasing availability. Field trials were conducted from 2013-2015 near Richville, MI to study the effects of EEF in comparison to standard N programs utilized commercially in sugarbeet production. The use of EEF products and blended polymer-coated urea (PCU) applied with urea did not improve root yield or quality but also did not inhibit N uptake or plant development. At the N rates used in this study, EEF products applied pre-emergence reduced stand loss compared to urea alone. In-furrow applications of ammonium polyphosphate increased spring growth and canopy development but did not impact root yield or quality and increased stand loss even when applied at recommended rates compared to no in-furrow application. Due to rainfall variability, fertilizer technologies designed to reduce N losses under either wet or dry conditions may not consistently offer positive returns but rather targeted usage for impaired watersheds or known field regions of greater N loss potential may be appropriate.