Transplanted Sugarbeet Yield Response to In-Row Spacing

ABSTRACT SUGARBEET seedlings were field transplanted to determine sugarbeet yield response to in-row spacing. The Paperpot container system and growing technique developed in Japan were used to produce the seedlings. All seedlings were manually transplanted to achieve accurate spacing and maximum survivability. Eight in-row spacings between 15 and 69 cm were examined in three sites with a between-row spacing of 56 cm. Sucrose yield exhibited a quadratic relation to in-row spacing, with maximum sucrose yield occurring at an in-row spacing of 37 cm. Sucrose content decreased linearly with an increase in in-row plant spacing. Tare had a quadratic response to in-row spacing, with minimum tare occurring at 56 cm. Direct seeded sugarbeets included in this study produced 18% less sucrose yield than sugarbeets transplanted at the optimum in-row spacing.