Sugar Producer

May 2010 Sugar Producer

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CAUTIONS ABOUT CHELATION nutrient deficient. “The expense of an additional trip across the field for foliar application frequently deters micronutrient fertilization for optimum crop yield and quality,” Dr. Huber notes. “There are newly available micronutrient formula- tions (nutrient phosphites) that maintain plant availability without impacting herbicidal activity of the glyphosate in a tank-mix, and plants have responded well from these micronutrient- glyphosate mixes. Simultaneous application of some micronutrients with glyphosate might pro- vide an efficient means to overcome deficiencies in lower fertility soils, as well as mitigate the reduced physiological efficiency inherent with the glyphosate-tolerant gene and glyphosate im- mobilization of essential nutrients in the plant.” Dr. Huber says foliar manganese may be more effective when applied in combination with the more mobile zinc, even when zinc levels may appear sufficient. The zinc will help detoxify sequestered glyphosate in some tissues. PROFIT VS. MUSH Until this year the winters have been warmer than usual overall, and that pattern could return once El Nino settles down. During the 2008-09 winter some locations saw piles of sugarbeets reduced to mush as Rhizoctonia harbored in some beets ran rampant. Making sure the beets are nutritionally sound and better able to resist the disease is a key to preserving their integrity over the winter. Ford says one way to maintain sufficiency is with two applications of the phosphite-active Sysstem-Ready zinc and manganese. The first is ideally when the plants are about four or five inches tall and it’s time for glyphosate. The second dose of nutrients can go with a later glyphosate application, when it’s time for the usual potash application. Some producers “top off” the zinc and manganese even later and add boron. “With or without glyphosate, the point is to maintain that nutrient sufficiency so the plant’s defense and development systems are fully contributing to the vitality and yield of the crop,” Ford adds. n Editor’s note: Butler writes about agricul tural technology for Creative Communica tions Net- work in Liberty, Mo. Email ron@ccnmarketing. com. Visit www.agro-k.com or call 800-328- 2418. GLYPHOSATE RESISTANT VARIETIES The recent introduction of glyphosate-resistant sugar beets in 2008 has raised concerns from growers on the possible affects that this may have on nutrient uptake. Manganese, zinc and iron deficiencies in glyphosate resistant soybeans and corn have been documented in the Midwestern states. Suspected causes of the deficiencies include the binding of soil micronutrients to glyphosate and gene-alterations that reduce manganese uptake by roots. While micronutrient deficiencies in glyphosate- resistant sugarbeet cropping systems have not been identified or thoroughly researched at this time, growers should still be aware of this phenomenon. “Southern Idaho Fertilizer Guide for Sugar Beets” University of Idaho Extension 20 Sugar Producer May 2010

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