Research and Demonstration of Minimum Tillage and Optimum Water Management in Sugarbeet Production in Eastern Montana

Research and Demonstration of Minimum Tillage and Optimum Water Management in Sugarbeet Production in Eastern Montana

Summary

Montana ranks 6th in the nation in sugarbeet production. The sugar industry in eastern Montana (and western North Dakota) contributes substantially to the regional economy. Specifically, Sidney Sugars, Inc. in eastern Montana employed an equivalent of 186 full-time workers and the industry indirectly supported an additional 805 full-time equivalent jobs in the two-state region. Thus, sustaining sugarbeet production and conservation of soil and water are very important to the society in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. In this project, we addressed three major concerns associated with sugarbeet production, including conservation tillage, proper irrigation, and nitrogen management in Montana, North Dakota, as well as in other sugarbeet production areas. The specific objectives of this project were to: research on strip tillage or no-till for sugarbeet production, and optimize irrigation management and develop a canopy-sensor-based N management approach for sugarbeet. In 2016, three field experiments were conducted at the Eastern Agricultural Research Center (EARC) located in Sidney, MT including: Experiment 1, tillage and nitrogen management; Experiment 2, optimization of irrigation management; and Experiment 3, development of a sensor-based nitrogen management system for sugarbeet. The preliminary results are presented in this annual report.

Objectives/Performance Targets

OBJECTIVE 1: Research on ST for sugarbeet production (to compare yield and quality of sugarbeet under ST compared to CT in three consecutive years)

OBJECTIVE 2: Optimize irrigation management and develop a canopy-sensor-based N management approach for sugarbeet

Accomplishments/Milestones

OBJECTIVE 1:

Experiment 1. Tillage and nitrogen management

A field experiment was conducted in 2016 at EARC irrigated farm located in Sidney MT to evaluate the performance of sugarbeet under conventional tillage compared to strip tillage and no-till. The experiment was conducted in a split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. Main plots were tillage systems (conventional tillage or CT, strip tillage or ST, no-till or NT). Subplots were nitrogen rate (0, 50, 100, 150 lb nitrogen per acre supplied with urea 46-0-0).

Conventional tillage was performed in early spring consisted of three passes to deep disking and two passes of mulch packing. Strip tillage was performed at the same time as conventional tillage. Strip tillage was performed with specialized equipment described in detail by Evans et al. (2009). 

Sugarbeet (cv. American Crystal S360) was planted on May 6, 2016 at a rate of 1.09 seed/ft² (5.5 inches between plant and 24 inches between rows). All tillage treatments were flat‐planted (no furrow created). Due to an unexpected problem with linear irrigation, plots were not irrigated properly and plant establishment was not favorable. So, plots were reseeded on June 3 and proper irrigated was provided immediately. 

Plots were harvested on Sep 19, 2016. Prior to harvest, aboveground biomass samples were taken from each plot (10 sq ft). Aboveground biomass was measured after oven drying at 120 °F for 72h. Then, biomass samples were ground for nitrogen measurements. At the time of harvest, plots were mechanically defoliated first. Then, a scale-mounted harvester was used to dig and weigh the roots from 30 ft long of the central row (equals to 60 square ft harvest area). Pre-wash root yield was recorded then a sample of 12 roots were randomly taken from each plot. The samples were transported to Sidney Sugar Inc.  Tare soil and sucrose percentage were determined. Extracted juice was sent to Agterra Technologies Inc. (Sheridan, WY) for impurity analysis. Based on the lab results extractable sucrose yield was determined (Eckhoff et al., 2005).

OBJECTIVE 2:

Experiment 2. Optimization of irrigation management

A field experiment was conducted in 2016 at EARC irrigated farm located in Sidney MT to evaluate the response of sugarbeet to irrigation management. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. Main plots were irrigation cutoff time (last irrigation 15 days before harvest vs. 30 days before harvest). Subplots were irrigation levels (irrigation based on 100% crop evapotranspiration [ET 100], 66% crop evapotranspiration [ET 66], and 33% crop evapotranspiration [ET 33]). Crop evapotranspiration was calculated on a daily basis according to the modified FAO Penman-Monteith method.

Sugarbeet (cv. American Crystal S360) was planted on May 4, 2016 at a rate of 1.09 seed/ft² (5.5 inches between plant and 24 inches between rows). Fertilizers were used at the rate of 120-20-20 lb/ac N-P-K. 

Experiment 3. Development of a sensor-based nitrogen management system for sugarbeet

In order to develop a reliable algorithm for yield prediction, we conducted an experiment in 2016. The experiment included 29 sugarbeet varieties planted at three locations across Mondak region (Sidney MT, Savage MT, and Berry ND).

Crops were scanned using a hand-held optical sensor (Green seeker) at various growth stages and NDVI (based on red and near infrared wavelengths) for each variety was recorded.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

RESULTS:

Experiment 1. Tillage and nitrogen management

The effect of tillage and nitrogen on sugrabeet yield and other important variables are shown in Table 1. Tillage had a significant effect only on aboveground biomass and plant stand. Interestingly, aboveground biomass and plant stand were higher in no-till compared to conventional tillage and strip tillage (Table 1). As mentioned previously, due to problems with irrigation system at the time of seed germination and establishment, it seems that better moisture availability in NT soil at this time led to the a better establishment in this treatment. No significant difference was found between tillage systems in terms of root yield, sucrose percent, sucrose yield and SLM. Sugarbeet root yield and sugar concentration were not significantly different among N treatments. 

Experiment 2. Optimization of irrigation management

Total irrigation water used in each treatment is calculated. Results showed that 33 and 66% less irrigation water were used in ET66 and ET33 treatments, respectively. This can clearly show that 33 and 66% less energy (diesel fuel or electricity depending on the power source of the sprinkler) were used for sugarbeet irrigation. It was notable that reducing irrigation water to 66 and 33% of the crop evapotranspiration did not affect plant growth, root yield, and sucrose yield. Whereas irrigation water amount had no significant effect on root yield, but sucrose percentage followed an increasing trend (from 18.3% to 18.8%) in response to lowering irrigation water level (Table 2).

Table 2. Main effects of irrigation cutoff time and irrigation level on sugarbeet measured variables.

 Experiment 3. Development of a sensor-based nitrogen management system for sugarbeet

Based on the NDVI data, the in-season estimate of yield (INSEY) was calculated. We found a significant regression between INSEY at V10-V12 growth stage and sugarbeet final yield (R² = 0.60), and extractable sucrose yield (R²= 0.66)

PUBLICATIONS:

The results of this project is published in 1) MSU EARC/NDSU WREC Research Update 2016, and 2) EARC 2016 Annual Report.These reports are distributed among growers and are readily accessible (hard copy and/or eprint) by stakeholders.

In EARC Irrigated Field Day on 30 June 2016, this project was presented to about 87 growers attended the field day.

Collaborators: