YIELD MID SELECTED“ EHEMICAL CGRSTETUER’TS 0F T32 SUGAEBEET 306'? MB CROWN 73133:: he {Em Dogma of 3%.. D: EICHEGAN STATE ENEVERSEYY mafia-é C. Zieéke E970 W “\H \\ \uuuuuuumgu\umummum‘ L 1293103 9 0760 . , 1 LIBRARY ‘ THF-TS‘" Michigan State University This is to certify that the thesis entitled YIELD AND SELECTED CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE SUGARBEET ROOT AND CROWN presented by RICHARD C. ZIELKE has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for PH.D. (189,66 in DEPARTMENT OF CROP AND SOIL SCIENCES \ j . Major prefessor Date , ‘ ’" X ' 0-169 ABSTRACT YIELD AND SELECTED CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE SUGARBEET ROOT AND CROWN BY Richard C. Zielke Experiments compared roots and crowns for weight, sucrose content, clear juice purity, concentrations of impurity constituents in the clear juice, and recovery of sucrose. Nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and harvest-date treatments were imposed to evaluate envi— ronmental and genetic effects on root and crown deve10pment. A formula for calculating sucrose recovery from simulated factory Operations and improvements in laboratory analyses for certain juice impurities aided in assessing the relationship between root and crown. Crowns, when separated from roots at the lowest leaf scar, accounted for 20% of the total weight of whole beets and about 16% of the total recoverable sucrose produced per acre. The sucrose and clear juice purity values of crowns averaged 1.85 and 4.1 less than for roots, respectively, but weighted average values for whole beets were only slightly less than for roots alone. Recoverable sucrose per ton of crowns averaged 217 pounds and the amount recovered per ton of roots averaged 272 pounds. Total impurities in the clear Richard C. Zielke juice were 74% greater in crowns than in roots but weighted averages for the whole beet were Only 18% and 1r% greater than for roots in 1967 and 1968, reSpectively. The concen— trations of seven individual impurity constituents in crowns ranged from 40% to 140% greater than those in roots. High N fertilization did not increase root weight but increased crown weight an average of 37% when compared to low N. High N reduced the sucrose content and clear juice purity of roots and crowns. Yields of total (roots plus crowns) recoverable sucrose per acre were not signifi- cantly different for the two N levels. Impurities in roots and crowns, especially amino acids and sodium, were greater at the high N level. Crown weight was slightly higher at the 15.4-inch versus the 9.8-inch plant spacing, but root weight was equal for both spacings. Sucrose and clear juice purity were higher for roots at close spacing, but values for crowns were not significantly different at the two plant spacings. Yields of total recoverable sucrose per acre were essen- tially the same for both spacings. Total impurities aver- aged 1r% higher for roots at wide spacing but Spacing did not affect crown impurities. Varieties differed considerably in weight of roots and crowns both years, but not substantially so in sucrose content or clear juice purity. .More importantly, the pro- portion of crown to root was found to differ among three Richard C. Zielke varieties (1967) and was altered by the use of different pollinators on two hybrid crosses (1968). Weight, sucrose content, clear juice purity, and recoverable sucrose per acre of root and crown increased as harvesting was delayed. Most of the impurities declined as harvest progressed both years, but the raffinose in roots and crowns nearly doubled each year between the first and last harvest dates. Correlation coefficients (r values) between roots and crowns for weight, percent sucrose, clear juice purity, and seven impurity constituents were usually lower than eXpected and variable because of location and treatment effects. YIELD AND SELECTED CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE SUGARBEET ROOT AND CROWN BY Richard Cf Zielke A THESIS Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of CrOp and Soil Sciences 1970 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To my wife Barbara Jo, who maintained a copious supply of confidence, devotion, and understanding, and who typed the initial drafts of this thesis, my deepest appre- ciation and gratitude. I also wish to eXpress sincere appreciation and gratitude to my graduate advisor, Dr. F. W. Snyder, for his advice and assistance in conducting these studies and for aid and guidance in the preparation of this manuscript. Many thanks to: Dr. Roger Wyse for his help in the field studies and technical assistance in analyzing juice samples in the laboratory. Dr. George Hogaboam and Dr. Charles Cress for their advice and recommendations regarding eXper- imental designs for the tests and statistical interpretation of the data. Dr. Carter Harrison who reviewed this manuscript and suggested pertinent changes therein. Mr. Maurice Frakes of the Michigan Sugar Company for generously providing laboratory facilities and assisting in the chemical analysis of juice samples. The farm Operators, Mr. Loren Finkbiner and the Root brothers, Wilford and Wes, for providing space for the field tests and preparing the soil. To faculty members, fellow graduate students, and others who expressed an interest in these studies and provided advice and encouragement, thank you. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 REVIEW OF LITERATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Characteristics of Crown and Root . . . . . . . . 2 Comparative Differences Between Crown and Root as Affected by Cultural Practices . . . . . 3 Effect of Cultural Practices on Root Yield and Chemical Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Nitrogen Nutrition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Harvest Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Plant Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Varietal Differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 METHODS AND MATERIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1967 Field Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Experimental Design and Technique . . . . . . 9 Description of Treatments . . . . . . . . . . 10 Field Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Preparation and Conduct of Test . . . . . . . 11 1968 Field Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Experimental Design and Technique . . . . . . 12 Description of Treatments . . . . . . . . . . 12 Field Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Preparation and Conduct of Test . . . . . . . 14 Laboratory Analyses and Techniques--1967 and 1968 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Preparation of Juice Samples from Harvested Beets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Chemical Analyses of Juice Samples . . . . . . 15 Calculations and Expressions of Results . . . . . 16 RESULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Root and Crown Yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l9 Sucrose Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Clear Juice Purity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Total Impurities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 iii Amino Acids . . . Potassium . . . . Sodium . . . . . . Reducing Sugars . Raffinose . . . Sum of Analyzed Impurities . Chlorides . . . . Betaine . . . . Percent Recovery of Sucrose Recoverable Sucrose per Ton Recoverable Sucrose per Acre DISCUSSION . . . . . . SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . iv Page 31 35 36 39 41 44 47 47 50 50 54 57 62 66 Table 1. LIST OF TABLES Effect of nitrogen fertilization, variety, and harvest date on number of sugarbeets per 100 feet of row, yield of root and crown, and prOportion of crown to root (1967) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and harvest date on number of sugarbeets per 100 feet of row, yield of root and crown, and prOportion of crown to root (1968) . . . . . . . . . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and harvest date on sucrose content of sugarbeet root and crown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant Spacing, variety, and harvest date on clear juice purity of sugarbeet root and crown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and harvest date on total impurities in sugarbeet root and crown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and harvest date on amino acids in sugarbeet root and crown . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and harvest date on potassium in sugarbeet root and crown . . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and harvest date on sodium in sugarbeet root and crown . . . Effect of nitrogen fertilizatiOn, plant spacing, variety, and harvest date on reducing sugars in sugarbeet root and crown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 20 21 24 27 3O 32 35 37 4O Table 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and harvest date on raffinose in sugarbeet root and crown . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, variety, and harvest date on the sum of analyzed impurities and the percent of analyzed to total impurities in sugarbeet root and crown(l967) Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant Spacing, variety, and harvest date on the sum of analyzed impurities and the percent of analyzed to total impurities in sugar- beet root and crown (1968) . . . . . . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant Spacing, and harvest date on chlorides in sugarbeet root and crown (1968) . . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant Spacing, and harvest date on betaine in sugarbeet root and crown (1968) . . . . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant Spacing, variety, and harvest date on percent recovery of sucrose from sugar- beet root and crown . . . . . . . . . . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and harvest date on recoverable sucrose per ton of sugarbeet roots and crowns . . . . . . . . . . . Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant Spacing, variety, and harvest date on recoverable sucrose per acre from sugar- beet roots, crowns, and whole beets . . vi Page 42 45 46 48 49 51 52 55 INTRODUCTION Before the advent of mechanical harvesting in the late 1940's, most of the sugarbeet crown was discarded by manually tOpping the beet in the field. Since then, the use of mechanical harvesters has resulted in increasing amounts Of crown being delivered to, and processed by, the factories. The introduction of crowns into factory processes has long been considered undesirable. They contain higher concentrations of impurities than roots and, consequently, further reduce crystallization of sucrose from the juice (Haddock _£__l,, 1959; Skuderna, 1952). Data compiled from the late 1800's (Stehlik, 1923) established that the crown contained a concentration of sugar only somewhat less than the root. It would be econom- ically desirable if the sugar in the crown could be crystal- lized at a net gain to factory Operations instead of losing it to molasses production or leaving it in the field. The objectives of these studies were to ascertain the relationship between root and crown in weight, sucrose content, juice purity, concentration of impurity constitu- ents, and recovery of sucrose. Since recovery of sucrose from fresh roots can be affected by nitrogen fertilization, harvest date, plant pOpulation, and varietal differences, these factors were incorporated into the eXperimentS. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Characteristics of Crown and Root Artschwager (1926) described the crown as the broad- ened, somewhat cone-Shaped apex of the root which bears a tuft of large succulent leaves and leaf bases. Conductive tissues, phloem and xylem, connecting the petioles with vas- cular rings in the root, anastomose through parenchymatous tissue in the crown in an irregular pattern (Hayward, 1938). In the root, immediately below the lowest leaf scar, the conductive tissues orient into radial concentric rings which are interspersed with parenchymatous tissue. The lowest leaf scar, then, is a natural basis for separation of the whole beet into root and crOwn portions (Hayward, 1938; Jorritsma and Oldfield, 1969). Certain studies have illustrated marked differences in chemical constituents and weight which characterize the root and crown (Carruthers, Oldfield, and Teague, 1965; Fort and Stout, 1948; Hirst and Greaves, 1944; Loomis and Ulrich, 1959; Stehlik, 1923). The crown had somewhat lower sugar content and purity than the rOot and comprised 10 to 20% of the whole beet weight. By choice, or from lack of an extraction formula or process, previous investigators never reported whether sucrose could be recovered if crowns were processed. Comparative Differences Between Crown and Root as Affected by Cultural Practices When two widely different levels of applied nitrogen (N) were used in two eXperimentS (Fort and Stout, 1948; Loomis and Ulrich, 1959) the higher level increased crown yield and also increased the prOportion of crown to root weight. Higher sugar contents and purity values were char- acteristic of low N compared to the high N rates. The dif- ference between the root and crown sugar content and purity values was accentuated at the low N rate. Fort and Stout (1948) reported that crowns contained higher concentrations of reducing sugars (35 to 50%) and non—protein N (50 to 80%) than the root. Hirst and Greaves (1944) found that noxious nitrogen (a combination of lysine, glutamine, arginine, asparagine, and betaine) concentrations in the crown were approximately double those of the root. Since the crown only contained 14%.of the total amount of noxious nitrogen of the whole beet, they concluded that little would be gained in exclud- ing noxious N by tOpping at the lowest leaf Scar, but the resulting loss of sugar would be sizable. Carruthers, Oldfield, and Teague (1965) reported a Somewhat different relationship between the sugar contents of root and crown from beets grown in the Nottingham dis- trict of England. In a harvest-date study, they found that differences between the root and crown sugar contents were much greater than the differences reported by others. The ,sugar content of both root and crown increased, however, as the harvest season progressed. Concentrations of invert sugar in both root and crown increased slightly but potas- sium and amino—nitrogen remained quite stable over the four harvest dates. Average concentrations in the crown of in- vert sugar, potassium, and amino-nitrogen were 6.4, 1.6, and 2.0 times greater than those in the root, respectively. In another field study by Carruthers _E._l. (1965) where different methods of tOpping were investigated, sugar content was 14.2 when only one-half of the crown was removed versus 14.9 for total removal. The purity value was 93.0 for one-half removal versus 93.5 for total removal. Invert, expressed as mg/100 9 sugar, increased 27% but amino- nitrogen, potassium, and Sodium concentrations were rela- tively unchanged when one-half the crown remained attached to the root. Effect of Cultural Practices on Root Yield and Chemical Composition Since the crown is relatively Similar to the root in chemical composition and prOportional in Size, reviewing the factors which affect root prOperties may lead to a better understanding of crown responses to given environments. Nitrogen Nutrition Root responses to added increments of nitrogen are quite striking. Increases of root weight have been common (Aylesworth, Bolton, and Broadwell, 1967; Herron, Grimes, and Finkner, 1964; Ogden t 1., 1958; Rounds gt El: 1958; Schmehl, Finkner, and Swink, 1963; Snyder, 1967; Tolman and Johnson, 1958) but in recent years this response has become less noticeable (Baldwin, 1967; Nichol, 1965; Russell, 1965), due no doubt, to higher residual N in Soils. Sugar content and purity decrease as nitrogen availability increases, a combination of factors reducing the recoverable sugar per ton. The amount of recoverable sugar produced per acre depends directly upon a combination of root yield, sugar content, and juice purity. It usually decreases as applied N exceeds 100 pounds per acre (Aylesworth g£_§l,, 1967; Herron t al., 1964; Rounds gt al., 1958), but in four recent instances (Baldwin, 1967; Nichol, 1965; Russell, 1965; Snyder, 1967) recoverable sugar per acre decreased at N rates over 50 pounds per acre. Concentrations of amino acids (Finkner t 21,, 1958; Finkner et al., 1964; Nichol, 1965; Rounds t 1., 1958; Schmehl t al., 1963), potassium (Finkner t 1., 1964; Nichol, 1965; Rounds t 1., 1958; Snyder, 1967), sodium (Finkner t 1., 1958; Finkner t 1., 1964; Fort and Stout, 1948; Nichol, 1965; Rounds t 1., 1958; Schmehl t al., 1963), and betaine (Nichol, 1965) increase while raffinose t 11., 1958; Finkner t al., 1964; Rounds §£_a1., (F inkner 1958; Schmehl q; _1., 1963) and invert (Rounds _5 _1., 1958) are unchanged with increasing rates of applied N. The trends for increasing potassium in the juice with increasing N fertilization are slight and have not been Significant in some tests (Finkner gt_gl,, 1958; Schmehl gt al., 1963). arvest Date In general, yield, sugar content, purity, and sugar per acre increase through the harvest season until early November in cool northern temperate latitudes, at which time cold temperatures decidedly Slow growth and metabolism (Bush, 1954; Finkner _£._1., 1959). The concentration of raffinose begins to increase at the onset of cooler weather (Finkner and Bauserman, 1956; Finkner t 1., 1959) in these regions. Plant POpulation For row widths between 22 and 32 inches, 25,000 to 28,000 plants per acre produce the greatest recoverable sugar per acre (Coons, 1948; Russell, 1965). In this range of row widths, however, spacing between plants can affect yield and quality. Maximum yield and sugar per acre occur within the range of 9- to 12-inch spacings. Sugar content and purity values are favored at 6- to 8-inch spacings but yield of marketable roots declines (Aylesworth gt_gl., 1967; Herron t 1., 1964; Schmehl t 1., 1963). Finkner _£_al,(l964) reported higher concentrations of sodium, potassium, and amino acids in roots grown at 16-inch versus 8- and 12-inch spacings. Raffinose was unaffected at these Spacings. Varietal Differences Differences in yield, sugar content, purity, and impurities exist among varieties as a result of breeding techniques which alter genic expression or influence gene recombination (Finkner and Bauserman, 1956; Finkner g£_§l,, 1959; Ogden t 1., 1958; Payne, Powers, and Maag, 1964; Powers _£_§1,, 1963). Dahlberg (1942) recognized in the 1930's that breed- ing for increased yielding ability and sugar content should be supplemented by breeding for improved juice purity. AS laboratory chemical analyses became available, methods to accomplish juice purity improvements were outlined (Brown and Wood, 1952; Wood, 1954) and inheritance patterns inves- tigated for purity (Wood, 1954), sodium (Brown and Wood, 1952; Doxtator and Bauserman, 1952; Finkner and Bauserman, 1956; Wood, 1954), potassium (Doxtator and Bauserman, 1952; Wood, 1954), and raffinose (Brown and Wood, 1952; Finkner and Bauserman, 1956; Wood, 1954; Wood, Oldemeyer, and Bush, 1956). Recently develOped laboratory tests (Carruthers, 1962; Carruthers and Oldfield, 1962; Wyse, 1969) now allow relatively rapid characterization of varieties for betaine, raffinose, chlorides, magnesium, calcium, reducing sugars, and amino-nitrogen in addition to potassium and sodium. Quantitatively, the more important impurity constitutents carried through from diffusion juice to clarified factory juice in the eastern United States are betaine, amino acids, raffinose, and potassium (Snyder, 1969). METHOD AND MATERIALS 1967 Field Experiment Experimental Design and Technique Beets for the root-crown study were grown at Sebewaing, Michigan, on the Loren Finkbiner farm. A factorial split-split plot design with six repli- cations was arranged with two N levels serving as the main- unit treatment. Five varieties composed the sub-unit level. Within each variety, four plots Were randomly assigned for harvest date. At the sub—unit level, each variety plot was four rows wide, 76 feet long and divided into four equal-length (19 feet) sections for harvest-date samples. A 13-foot sam- ple, which provided 16 to 17 beets for laboratory analyses, was harvested on each date from only one row of the four available; the other three rows provided competition. All samples were taken from rows planted by the same seeding- fertilizer unit to eliminate any differences in amount of fertilizer applied to the rows. 10 Description of Treatments Two extremes in nitrogen fertilization were used in this test to accentuate possible effects on root and crown, varieties, and harvest dates. N Applied Method of Application 24 lbs/acre Row fertilizer (200 lbs/acre of 12-6-6) 150 lbs/acre 200 lbs of 12-6-6 in the row plus an additional 126 lbs/ acre N as ammonium nitrate applied on surface at thin- ning time and cultivated into the soil Five varieties of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) adapted to the Great Lakes growing region but diverse in genetic origin were grown in the test. Variety Number Variety Description 1 SP548l-O multigerm, Open pollinated. 2 SP63l94—O monogerm, Open pollinated 3 02 clone multigerm, Open pollinated 4 SP6322-0 multigerm, Open pollinated 5 US H20 monogerm, commercial hybrid grown in Michigan and Ohio Four harvest dates were chosen. Approximately three- week intervals separated the first three dates and a two-week 1Potassium and phOSphorus eXpressed as oxides for all fertilizer analyses reported. 11 interval elapsed between the last two dates. The range of dates adequately covered the commercial harvest period. Harvest dates were: September 14, October 5, October 24, and November 7, 1967. Field Inventory A tOpographically level, dark-colored mineral soil with loam surface texture was chOsen for the test site. Results from a Brookside Research Laboratories, Incorporated, Soil test taken in the fall of 1966 indicated that phospho- rus and potassium levels were high and medium, respectively. Boron and manganese levels were less than Optimum. The pH of the soil was 7.6; the organic matter content 2.4%. Preparation and Conduct of gels; The field was plowed following a broadcast appli- cation of 375 lbs/acre of 0-0-60 in the fall of 1966. On May 1, 1967, 900 lbs/acre of 0-20-0 was broadcast and worked into the soil with a field cultivator. The test was planted in 28-inch rows on May 2, 1967. Row fertilizer was placed 2 to 3 inches below the seed by the planter. Thinning of the seedlings to approximately 120 plants per 100 feet of row was completed on June 15. Growth and deve10pment of the beets through the summer resulted in yields above the commercial average. Disease and insect problems were not encountered. 12 1968 Field Experiment Experimental Design and Technique This eXperiment was conducted on the Root Bros. farm at St. Charles, Michigan. A factorial SXperiment with six replications involv- ing two N levels, two in-row spacings of beets, two vari- eties and two harvest dates was used. The nitrogen levels were arranged as a Split plot and the remaining eight treat- ment combinations constituted randomized blocks within each split plot level. Each treatment combination consisted of plots 18 feet long and Six rows wide. Seventeen feet of row were harvested from plots with wide spacing and 13.5 feet were sampled from plots with narrow spacing to provide an average of 14 to 16 beets from each plot for laboratory analyses. All samples were taken from rows planted by the same seeding- fertilizer unit. Description of Treatments Two extremes in N level were used to accentuate differences in results. N Applied Method oprpplication 30 lbs/acre Row fertilizer (500 lbs/acre of 6-24-12 with 2% Mn and 0.5% B) 150 lbs/acre 500 lbs of 6-24-12 in the row plus an additional 120 lbs/acre N as ammonium nitrate applied on surface at thinning time and cultivated into the soil 13 Two in—row spacings of beets (row populations) were established to represent extremes in commercial conditions. Beets/100 Feet Average Distance of Row Between Beets Spacing Desired Actual Desired Actual Close 120 122 10 inches 9.8 inches Wide 70 78 17 inches 15.4 inches Two hybrids were tested; each was made with the same Fl monogerm female. m Number Variety Description 5 SL(129X133)mS X SP6322-0 commercial hybrid, US H20 6 SL(129X133)mS X 02 clone SXperimental hybrid Approximately one month separated the two harvests which were timed to coincide with early and mid-commercial harvesting schedules. Harvest dates were: September 23 and October 21, 1968. Field Inventory The mineral Soil at the test Site was dark—colored, level and had a silty clay loam surface texture. Samples for a soil test were obtained after the eXperiment was completed (March, 1969). Results from the Michigan State University Soil Testing Laboratory showed 50 pounds of phOSphorus and 446 pounds of potassium available per acre. 14 The soil pH was 6.8. The crOp grown in 1967 was white pea beans. Preparation and Conduct of Test The field was plowed in the fall of 1967 and lightly tilled on April 29, 1968. The test was planted in 28-inch rows on April 30. Row fertilizer was placed 2 to 3 inches below the seed by the planter. Thinning of the seedlings to eXperimental spacings was completed on June 18, 1968. The adverse effects from damping-off disease and from wireworms on seedling attrition did not alter the planned plant spacings. No other disease or insect problems were noted after thinning and the test yields were above the commercial average. Laboratory Analyses and Techniques-- 1967 and 1968 Preparation of Juicgygamples from Harvested Beets Freshly harvested beets were delivered to the labo- ratory within four hours after sampling began in the field. The crowns were subjected to a defoliation treatment which was identical to the method suggested by Jorritsma and Old— field (1969). In this method, the peripheral crown material, consisting of petiole stubs and leaf buds, is pared away with a knife to expose the white crown tissue. The beets were then washed to remove adhering soil, air dried, and the crown cut off at the lowest leaf scar (corresponding to the 15 "reference tOpping position," also prOposed by Jorritsma and Oldfield). Brei samples from the roots were collected by cutting each root in half using a special, single-bladed rasp—saw 16 inches in diameter. ‘The crowns were quartered with the same saw to obtain sufficient brei. Juice samples, obtained from mixed brei squeezed within a bleached muslin cloth, were quickly frozen in a dry ice-alcohol bath and stored until chemical analyses were performed on the freshly thawed juice. Chemical Analyses of Juice Samples Juice samples were analyzed for sucrose content according to the method of Dexter, Frakes, and Snyder (1967).' Juice was clarified by a modification (Dexter, Frakes, and Snyder, 1967) of the Carruthers and Oldfield Method (1962). The impurity analyses were made on clarified juice samples. Potassium and sodium analyses were performed using a Coleman flame photometer. Alpha-amino nitrogen was deter- mined with ninhydrin by the method of Moore and Stein (1954) and converted to total amino acids by multiplying by 9.5 (Snyder, 1969). Reducing sugars were determined by Bern— feld's Method (1961) which utilizes 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid. A coupled-enzyme system develOped by Wyse (1969) was used for raffinose analyses. Chloride analyses were made using the method of Schales and Schales (1941). The Carruthers and Oldfield Method (1962) for betaine analysis 16 was utilized. Chloride and betaine analyses were performed in 1968 on all root and crown juices from variety 5 only. Calculations and Expressions of Results Roots from each plot were weighed separately from crowns. Yields (in tons per acre) were calculated for both root and crown and then added together to obtain total yield of the whole beet. Apparent Sucrose contents of brei and clarified juice were determined polarimetrically. The clarified (clear) juice contained quantities of raffinose and reducing sugars which, in addition to sucrose, are also Optically active. The following formula, prOposed by Wyse (1969), was used to calculate corrected sucrose values for clear juice samples. Corr C.J} % S = App C.J} % S - [1.59(mg/m1 raffinose) — 0.30(mg/m1 reducing sugarsfl 10 x density (mg/m1) Assuming that little or no loss of raffinose or reducing sugars occurred in juice clarification processes, and that raffinose and reducing sugar concentrations per gram of sucrose were equal in both the beet and in the clear juice, the following formula was used to correct the brei apparent sucrose values. Corr C.J.1, S Corr A S on beets = App A S on beets X App C.J, % S 17 Subsequent calculations utilized corrected sucrose readings. Clear juice purity (CJP) values, representing the number of grams of sucrose per 100 grams of total soluble solids (Refractometric Dry Substances; RDS), were calculated according to the formula: _ clear juice sucrose Percent CJP _ RDS in clear juice 100 Total impurity values, complementary designations for CJP which better reflect the magnitude of the impurity fraction in clear juice, were calculated from the following formula: Total impurities (mg/100 g RDS) = (100 - CJP) x 1000 Concentrations of individual impurities were also expressed on the basis of mg/100 g RDS in order to equalize differences in RDS readings from each clear juice sample. Since the concentrations of the five analyzed impurities did not account for the total concentration of impurities in the clear juice, values for individual impurities were added together to obtain "Sum of Analyzed Impurities." Recoverable sucrose per ton (RSPT) was calculated as follows: RSPT (lbs) = 20 x (%.S in brei — 0.3) x [l _ (§_;:__55_ X lOOCEPCJP)] 18 which, essentially, is the basic formula prOposed by the Great Western Sugar Company Research Laboratory in Sugar Beet Research, 1964 Report (1964). "Percent Recovery" of sucrose closely approximates the percent sucrose refined from factory processes versus total apparent sucrose introduced. Lbs recoverable sucrose/ton Lbs gross apparent sucrose/ton 100 Percent Recovery = In order to equate values for root and crown into one value for whole beets, weighted average calculations were made for various characters based on the weight rela- tionships of root and crown. For example, Wtd avg % S in brei = (% S in root x %.root of total wt.) + (% S in crown x % crown of total wt.) Crown/root ratios were used to assess weight and concentration relationships between crown and root. Correlation coefficients (r values) denote the degree of association between root and crown for weight and chemical constituents. All percentage values in the tables, except for sucrose content and CJP, were rounded to whole numbers. RESULTS Since no advantages appeared in reporting additional data from varieties 1 and 4, harvested only on October 5 and 24 in 1967, results are presented for varieties 2, 3, and 5 over four harvest dates. Root and Crown Yield Data for root, crown, and total yields and number of beets per 100 feet of row are presented in Table 1 for 1967 and Table 2 for 1968. Average total yields were very similar in each test (22.8 and 22.3 tons per acre). Yields from crowns were sub- stantial and amounted to 29% and 2h% of root yields in 1967 and 1968, respectively. EXpressed on the basis of total yields, crowns accounted for 22% of the weight in 1967 and 1T% in 1968. The prOportion of crown to root (crown/root ratio) varied within some of the treatments. Differences in N levels and varieties altered this prOportion more than did spacing of beets. The ratio did not change during the har— vest season, indicating that similar growth rates occurred for both root and crown. Variety 5, grown in both tests, differed in crown/ratio by 0.09 (0.32 in 1967 versus 0.23 19 20 Table 1. Effect of nitrogen fertilization, variety, and harvest date on number of sugarbeets per 100 feet of row, yield of root and crown, and prOportion of crown to root (1967) Root No. Beets/ Crown vs Treatment 100 Feet Root Total Root Crown TonszAcre g_ N Applied 24 Lbs/A 121 17.9 22.3 0.25 0.73 150 Lbs/A 120 17.5 23.4 0.34 0.59 NS NS * ** Variety 2 122 17.5 22.7 0.30 0.48 3 118 17.0 21.3 0.25 0.47 5 121 18.6 24.5 0.32 0.46 NS ** ** ** Harvest Sept. 14 118 15.1 3 19.4 0.29 0.21 Oct. 5 123 17.7 2 22.9 0.29 0.16 Oct. 24 121 18.8 4 24.2 0.29 0.52 Nov. 7 119 19.2 7 24.9 0.30 0.50 NS ** * ** NS Test Avg 120 17.7 22.8 0.29 0.52 *, **, and NS indicate F—test significance at the 5% and 1% levels and no significance, respectively. 21 Table 2. Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and harvest date on number of sugarbeets per 100 feet of row, yield of root and crown, and prOportion of crown to root (1968) Root No. Beets/ Crown vs Treatment 100 Feet Root Crown Total Root Crown Tons/Acre 'p N Applied , 30 Lbs/A 101 17.9 3.3 21.2 0.18 0.60 150 Lbs/A 99 18.9 4.6 23.5 0.24 0.66 NS NS ** * ** Spacing 9.8 in. 122 18.4 3.8 22.2 0.20 0.67 15.4 in. 78 18.4 4.1 22.5 0.22 0.60 ** NS * NS ** Variety 5 103 19.0 4.3 23.3 0.23 0.53 6 97 17.8 3.6 21.4 0.20 0.68 NS 1': ** ** ** Harvest Sept. 23 101 17.0 3.7 20.7 0.22 0.43 Oct. 21 99 19.8 4.2 24.0 0.21 0.68 NS *1: ** ** NS Test Avg 100 18.4 3.9 22.3 0.21 0.62 *, **, and NS indicate F-test significance at the 5% and 1% levels and no Significance, respectively. 22 in 1968) illustrating an environmental influence on crown development. Crown yields averaged 37% greater at high N than at low N. Differences in root yields were not statistically significant between the two N levels. Thus, greater total yields at the high N level were due, mainly, to higher crown yields. Production of a commerCial variety or hybrid with a smaller ratio of crown to root may be possible, if desired, since a difference of 0.07 (0.25 versus 0.32) occurred between varieties 3 and 5 in 1967. However, smaller pro- portions of crown were associated both years with lower root and total yields. Root yields were identical (18.4 tons) for beets uniformly Spaced 9.8 or 15.4 inches apart (Table 2). Crown yields were 0.3 tons greater at wide than at close spacing, but total yields were not significantly increased by this small addition of crown. Yield of both roots and crowns increased as harvest was delayed. Differences in root yields between the Septem- ber and late October harvest dates were greater than those resulting between any other treatment means. Correlation coefficients (r) between root and crown for yield were all positive and Significant (at least at the 5% level) except for the first two harvest dates in 1967. The overall r values (0.52 in 1967 and 0.62 in 1968) dif- fered slightly between years. 23 Sucrose Content Sucrose contents for tests conducted in 1967 and 1968 are given in Table 3. The average sucrose contents of root and crown were lower in 1968 than in 1967. In fact, the sucrose content of roots in 1968 (14.7) was only slightly higher than the sucrose content of crowns in 1967 (14.2). Corrections for raffinose in September (1967) low- ered apparent sucrose numerical values by an average of 0.1 and 0.2 for roots and crowns, respectively, and respective corrections in late October were 0.2 and 0.3. In 1968, the only correction necessary (due to raffinOse) was on crown sucrose in late October and it averaged -0.1. The overall crown/root ratio of 0.88 for both years indicates that a stable, environmentally—independent rela- tionship may exist between crown and root for sucrose con- tent. Differences were small, but significant, within many of the treatments. Weighted average sucrose values for the whole beet were slightly less than those for roots. The maximum differ— ence between the two values (0.5) occurred in the 1967 test. Sucrose contents of root and crown were lower at the high N than at the low N level. Both the root and crown were numerically lower by 0.7 at high N in 1967 and these differences were somewhat greater (about 1.0 for root and crown) in 1968 when average sucrose contents were lower. 24 .mam>wuowmmmu .mosm000flc0flm on cam mam>ma a; cam As was um mocmosmsamnm ummnum mumosecs mz 6cm .:« .4 H0.0 00.0 0.0H 0.ma 5.0a 0>< umwa 00.0 00.0 0.0a m.vH N.0H 0>< ummB es as as «s 50.0 50.0 H.0H m.va 0.0a 5 .>OZ es es es es 00.0 00.0 0.0a H.¢H 0.0a 0N .UUO 55.0 00.0 0.0H N.¢H 0.0a Hm .qu 00.0 50.0 0.0a N.¢H m.0H m .000 M5.0 00.0 m.ma 0.HH 5.ma mm .ummm N5.0 a0.0 m.mH N.¢H 5.0a 0H .0000 umm>umm umm>umm es ss 02 as 02 as es as 00.0 50.0 0.0a N.¢H m.0H m 00.0 00.0 m.¢a N.ma 0.0a 0 05.0 50.0 0.0a m.¢H #.0H m 00.0 50.0 m.¢a 0.NH 0.0a m 00.0 00.0 0.0a m.¢a 0.0a N Nuwwum> Numaum> e ee 02 «s 00.0 00.0 N.¢H 0.NH 0.0H .CH «.0H 00.0 50.0 0.0a 0.MH 0.0a .Ca 0.0 mcwommm 02 as as ee 02 es «s «s 50.0 50.0 0.ma ¢.NH N.¢H «\mnq 00H Hm.0 50.0 ¢.ma 0.mH 0.0a «\mnq 00H N0.0 00.0 0.0a 0.mH N.mH m\mnq 0m 00.0 00.0 N.0H 0.0a 0.0a ¢\mnq 0N Qwaammfl Z wmwaam< Z m. wmouosm unmoumm .m wmouosm unwouwm G3OHO Doom 0>< CBOHU uoom ucmfiummns OBOHO Doom 0>¢ GSOHU uoom UGmEummHB m> csouo 003 m> .mmmmw COB DOOM uoom 000A 500a sebuo 0am uoou ummflum0sm mo ucoucoo mmouosm so mum0 umw>um£ 02m .mumwum> .0aaommm unmam .co«umuaafluumm cmmouuac mo uowmmm .m wHQmB 25 At both N levels, differences in sucrose between root and crown were identical (1967) or nearly so (1968). A greater magnitude of difference between root and crown was evident in 1967 (numerical differences of 2.0 at both N levels), when the average sucrose was higher, than in 1968 (differences of 1.6 and 1.8 for low and high N, respectively). Varieties differed Significantly in root sucrose both years but crowns differed only in 1968. Close beet spacing (1968) gave a 0.4 higher root sucrose value than wide spacing, but the difference between crowns was not significant for the two spacings. Sucrose of root and crown increased both years as harvesting was delayed but the difference between comparable dates (September and late October) was much greater in 1968. Rain and cloudy weather during October hindered sucrose build-up in 1967. A variety x date interaction for roots in 1967 revealed that variety 5, unlike varieties 2 and 3, failed to increase in sucrose content after the second harvest. Since the root sucrose of variety 5 increased as eXpected in the 1968 test as it did under commercial conditions in both 1967 and 1968, the interaction in the 1967 results seems to be an atypical response. In a significant nitrogen x variety interaction for roots in 1967, the sucrose value of variety 2 was only 0.3 26 lower at high N than at low N, but values for varieties 5 and 3 were 0.6 and 1.1 lower, respectively. This would indicate that commercial varieties might be developed which are less sensitive to high rates of nitrogen fertilization. The average r values for sucrose content were 0.64 in 1967 and 0.91 in 1968. Although coefficients for all treatments were positive and significant, they were quite variable in 1967. Clear Juice Purity Clear juice purity values are presented in Table 4 for the 1967 and 1968 tests. The clear juice purity for roots was similar both years. Test averages were 94.3 in 1967 and 93.8 in 1968. Crown purities were nearly identical, averaging 89.8 in 1967 and 90.1 in 1968. Crown purities were substantially less than those for roots in both tests. However, weighted aver- age purity values were only 1.0 and 0.7 lower than those for roots in 1967 and 1968, respectively. Substantial raffinose corrections were made on apparent purities in 1967 as harvest dates progressed. Apparent root and crown CJP values were adjusted downward by 1.4 and 2.2, respectively, on the third harvest date in 1967. On the comparable date (late October) in 1968, root and crown values were reduced an average of 0.6 and 0.8, respectively. 27 .mam>wuommmmu .mocm0000c0flm on one mHm>mH RH 0am $0 030 um mocmoamwcmwm ammulm mumUaocH mz 0cm .«s 00.0 H.m0 H.00 0.m0 0>¢ ummB 00.0 m.m0 0.00 m.¢0 0>¢ umme es es sh 00.0 5.m0 H.00 0.v0 5 .>oz es es es vv.0 0.00 5.00 5.00 0N .uUO 5v.o ¢.m0 0.00 0.00 am .uoo mm.0 0.m0 0.00 0.00 m .uoo 6m.o m.~m m.mm o.mm mm .ummm mm.o o.mm m.mm m.~m SH .ummm umm>umm umm>umm « as ee 02 es mz N5.0 0.00 5.00 0.v0 m mm.o m.m0 0.00 0.00 0 50.0 N.m0 v.00 H.00 m 05.0 0.m0 0.00 0.00 m 0m.0 H.m0 0.00 0.00 m a 3 ss 02 «s 00.0 0.~0 0.00 ¢.m0 .SH v.mH 00.0 m.m0 H.00 m.¢0 .ca 0.0 .mmwmmmw *0» £11 331 .<..<. «(an yak. mm.o m.m0 N.00 H.m0 «\mnq oma mv.0 0.m0 0.00 0.m0 ¢\mnq 00H 00.0 0.m0 0.00 0.00 «\mnq om mv.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 ¢\mnq em vmflammfi z Umwamm< z .m 000 unmoumm .m 000 ucmoumm czouu 0>m czouo Doom unwEummuB c3ouo 0>0 SBOHO Doom ucmEummuB m> 33 ms. 33 uoom uoom 000a 500a c3ouo 0am uoou ummnummdm mo magnum mUMSn ummau co oumo umm>umn 0am .mumaum> .0cwom0m unmam .coHumuflawuumm cm0ouuflc mo uommmm .e magma 28 Crown/root ratios are not eXpressed for CJP but are given for each of the impurity constituents. Root and crown purities were lower both years at the high N compared to the low N rate of fertilization. The differences in crown purity values between N levels (1.6 and 1.7 in 1967 and 1968, respectively) were more than those for the root (1.0 and 1.4 in 1967 and 1968, respectively). Differences between root and crown purities were greater at the high N level both years. This result deviated from the results with sucrose which showed equal differences between root and crown at both N levels. Significant differences between varieties in root and crown purities were apparent in 1967, but only crown purities differed significantly in 1968. The root purity values of variety 5 differed by 1.0 between the two tests but the crowns were almost identical (89.7 in 1967 and 89.6 in 1968) . Close spacing of beets (1968) gave an 0.8 higher root purity than wide Spacing, but crowns were not signif— icantly different at the two spacings. In 1967, root and crown purity values increased 1.9 and 1.6, respectively, between the first two harvest dates. _ Following the second harvest, root purities stabilized but crown purities were lower. In 1968, crown purity increased more than root purity between the two harvest dates. A significant nitrogen x variety interaction for root purity occurred in 1967. The root purity value of 29 variety 2 was only 0.6 loWer at the high compared to low N rate while values for varieties 3 and 5 were 1.3 and 1.1 lower, respectively. Correlation coefficients for CJP between root and crown were all positive and significant but tended to vary considerably within (except N levels) and between treatments. Average values for the two years were nearly identical (0.55 in 1967 and 0.52 in 1968). Total Impurities Data for total impurities are presented in Table 5. Since CJP is inversely related to total impurities, treatment effects are Opposite for the two characters (higher CJP = lower impurities). A more realistic appraisal of treatment effects on the impurity fraction can be made by Observing the greater range in total impurity concentrations (usually 5,000-10,000 mg/100 g RDS) than CJP values. A greater difference between overall root and crown impurities in 1967 gave a crown/root ratio of 1.84 compared to 1.63 in 1968. Crown/root ratios differed significantly within all treatments in both tests, but were more variable in the variety and harvest date treatments in 1967. Total impurities for root and crown were greater at high than at low N. Increases in root impurities from low to high N were 20% in 1967 and 25% in 1968 and crowns in- creased about 17% both years. .mHm>HuUmmmmH .mocmoHMHc0Hm on cam mHm>mH 0H 6cm *0 men um moamuflmscmHm ummuum mumoflncs mz cam .** .* 30 00.H 0500 0000 0H00 0>< umme 00.H H050 0HO0H 0000 0>¢ ume an»... , .10. .430 .411 00.H 0000 5000 05H0 5 .>oz « «« ¥* ** 00.H 0000 0000H 0000 00 .000 50.H 0000 0H00 0000 H0 .uoo 00.H 0000 0H00 0000 0 .000 00.H 00H5 0000H 0H00 00 .0000 00.H H505 mOHHH 0005 0H .ummm umm>umm umm>umm *« ¥ ¥¥ s* s 02 *0 02 00.0 0000 H000H 0000 0 50.H 0050 0000 H000 0 00.H H050 0000H 0000 m 00.H 0000 0500H 0H00 0 00.H H000 0050 0000 0 0000000 .Nmmwwmw ¥¥ ** 02 0* 00.H 0005 0000H H500 .SH 0.0H 05.H 0000 0000 0000 .SH 0.0 mmNNMQW *s ¥* ** «« . * *0 *0 0* 00.H 0005 0050H 0000 ¢\mnq 00H 00.H 0005 000HH H000 <\mQH 00H 50.H H000 0HHO 0000 ¢\mnq om 00.H 0000 0000 55H0 ¢\mQH 00 UwHHmaa z UwHH000 z 000 0 00H\QEH 08 000 0 00H\QEH 0E Doom 0>¢ szouo uoom udmfiummue Doom .0>< czouo uoom usmEummuB CBOHO 0u3 GBOHO was 000H . 500H n3ouo 0cm uoou ummnnmmsm CH mmHuHusmsH HmOOu co mumw umm>um£ 0cm .wumHHm> .0cHom0m OGMHQ .soHumNHHHuHmm ammoHuHs mo uuwmmm .0 mHnt 31 Varieties differed significantly for root impurity concentrations in 1967 and for crown impurities in both tests. In 1967, variety 2 had the highest root and lowest crown impurities. Although crown impurities for variety 5 were similar both years, roots differed by nearly 1000 mg. The 9.8-inch spacing of roots gave 1T% less impuri- ties than the wider spacing (1968). No significant differ- ence occurred between crowns at the two spacings. Total impurities in root and crown decreased after the first harvest both years but the reductions were not of similar magnitude. In 1967, root impurities declined 26% between the September and late October harvests but in 1968 the decline was only 6%. In 1967, crown impurities decreased 14% between September 14 and October 5, then increased 8% to October 24 during a period of rainy weather. In 1968, the decline between September 23 and October 21 was 14%. A nitrogen x variety interaction for roots in 1967 indicated that the total impurity concentration for variety 3 was 1400 mg greater at high than at low N, but varieties 2 and 5 were only 700 and 1100 mg higher, respectively. Amino Acids Table 6 presents data for amino acids. Average root amino acid concentrations in the clear juice, 1386 mg/100 g RDS in 1967 and 1370 in 1968, were strikingly similar both years and crowns (3045 and 3106 mg) 32 .mH0>H0000m00 .0ocmoHMHc0Hm on cam mH0>0H XH 0cm *0 0:0 00 00:00H0Hc00m 0000Im 000000cH 02 0:0 .00 0 05.0 00.0 000H 00H0 050H 0>< 0009 05.0 00.0 H05H 0000 000H 0>< 000B 02 0* *0 *0 05.0 50.0 000H 0000 050H 5 .>oz 02 02 02 02 05.0 00.0 000H H000 HO0H 00 .000 50.0 00.0 000H 0H00 050H H0 .000 05.0 00.0 H05H 0000 000H 0 .000 05.0 50.0 000H 00H0 000H 00 .0000 H0.0 H0.0 0000 H500 500H 0H .0000 000>Hmm 0m0>Hmm 02 0* *0 0 *0 02 *0 02 00.0 50.0 0HOH 0000 000H 0 H0.0 00.0 000H 0000 050H 0 05.0 00.0 055H 00H0 000H 0 00.0 00.0 005H 0000 000H 0 00.0 H0.0 000H 5500 000H 0 a 003.40 0 02 02 02 00.0 00.0 005H 00H0 000H .CH 0.0H 00.0 00.0 0HOH H000 000H .SH 0.0 .mmwmmmw 0* 0* 0* 0* 0 0% «0 0* 00.0 H0.0 00H0 H000 005H «\mnH 00H 00.0 0H.0 00H0 0000 H05H ¢\mnq 00H 00.0 05.0 000H 0000 550 «\00H 00 00.0 00.0 000H 0000 HO0H «\mQH 00 00HH00< z 00HH0m¢ z m 02 0 0334.0 02 m 03 m ooHWéJN 0.: c3000 0000 0>m 03000 0000 0G0E0m009 23000 0000 0>m c3000 0000 0G0E0m009 m> .dmmmw 003 m> .mmmmw 003 0000 0000 000H 500H c3000 new 0000 000000050 CH mvHom 0:080 so 0000 0m0>Hm£ 0cm .000Hum> .0sHum0m 0G0H0 .GOH00NHHH0H00 £00000Hc 00 000000 .0 0HQmB 33 only differed by 61 mg. The overall crown/root ratios for the two tests were 2.29 in 1967 and 2.45 in 1968. Crown/ root ratios varied, however, within treatments. Differences were greatest between N levels both years and smaller differ- ences occurred in the variety and spacing treatments in 1968. Amino acids in root and crown were significantly greater at high than low N. Percentage increases from low to high N were greater for roots (66% in 1967 and 80% in 1968) than crowns (45%.in 1967 and 46% in 1968). Differ— ences in amino acids between root and crown were much greater at the high N level due to relatively larger in— creases in crown amino acids. Variety 2 had the lowest amino acid concentration in root and crown of the three varieties tested in 1967. In 1968, crowns of variety 6 were significantly lower in amino acids than variety 5. The amino acid contents of the root and crown did not differ significantly at the two row populations (1968). Except for a sizable drop between the first two har— vest dates in 1967, amino acids in root and crown remained relatively stable during harvest seasons. A nitrogen x variety interaction for both root and crown in 1967 showed that differences in amino acids between low and high N were relatively greater for variety 5 than for varieties 2 and 3. The r values for amino acids were all positive, significant, and fairly uniform within treatments, except N 34 levels. Overall coefficients for the two tests were 0.78 in 1967 and 0.70 in 1968. Potassium Potassium values are given in Table 7. Average potassium concentrations in the root were 125 mg greater in 1968 than in 1967 (949 versus 824 mg/100 g RDS). Conversely, potassium averaged 96 mg higher in crowns in 1967 than in 1968 (1283 versus 1187 mg/100 g RDS)° Overall crown/root ratios were 1.59 in 1967 and 1.27 in 1968. Small, but significant differences in ratios were evident within variety and harvest date treatments in 1967 and spacings in 1968. Potassium in the crown was significantly greater at the high compared to low N level both years but roots dif- fered only in 1967. Increases in 1967 from low to high N were about 100 mg each for root and crown, but the increases were less in 1968. Varieties differed in both root and crown potassium in 1967 but only in crown potassium in 1968. Close spacing, compared to wide, resulted in somewhat lower potassium in root and crown. In 1967, potassium in both the root and crown decreased more than 200 mg between the first and second har— vest but less than 100 mg from the second to the fourth har— vests. Potassium in both the root and crown decreased about 150 mg between the two harvests in 1968. 35 .000>00000000 .000000000000 0: 0:0 000>00 RH 000 $0 000 00 000000000000 0000I0 00000000 02 000 .00 0 00.0 50.0 000 5000 000 0>0 0009 00.0 00.0 500 0000 000 0>< 0009 * 0* 0* 00 00.0 00.0 000 0000 005 5 .>oz 02 0* 00 0* 00.0 00.0 500 0000 005 00 .000 00.0 00.0 000 0000 050 00 .000 00.0 00.0 000 0000 005 0 .000 00.0 00.0 0000 0000 0000 00 .0000 50.0 00.0 0000 0000 0000 00 .0000 000>000 000>000 *0 0* 0* *0 02 0* 00 00 00.0 05.0 000 0000 005 0 00.0 00.0 000 0000 500 0 00.0 00.0 050 5000. 005 0 00.0 00.0 0000 0000 050 0 00.0 00.0 550 0500 000 0 N00000> N00000> any» .10. an *0. 00.0 00.0 0000 0000 0000 .00 0.00 00.0 00.0 500 0000 000 .00 0.0 .mmwmmmm 02 0 *0 02 02 0* 0* *0 00.0 0~.0 om00 0000 «mm 0\mnq 000 mm.o 00.0 mam m0m0 hum <\mnq 000 00.0 00.0 000 0000 000 ¢\000 00 00.0 00.0 000 0000 055 <\000 00 0000000 2 0000000 2 m. 050 m 80>” 9: m 000 m 8000 as 03000 0000 0>4 03000 0000 000800009 03000 0000 0>0 03000 0000 000800009 0> .mmme 003 0> .mmmmm 003 0000 0000 0000 5000 03000 000 0000 000000050 00 850000000 00 0000 000>000 000 .000000> .0000000 00000 .0000000000000 0000000: 00 000000 .5 00009 36 Four significant interactions for potassium occurred in 1967. In particular, nitrogen x variety interactions were significant for both root and crown. Although there were large differences in root and crown potassium between low and high N for varieties 3 and 5, the differences for variety 2 were much smaller. In 1968, three interactions involving spacing were significant but only the spacing x variety interaction for roots was of particular interest. In this one, the potas- sium concentration of variety 5 was only 70 mg lower at close than at wide spacing whereas the concentration in variety 6 was 167 mg lower. Correlation coefficients between root and crown for potassium were positive and variable within and between treatments. The r values for potassium at the second and third harvests in 1967 approached non-significance. gm Data for sodium are presented in Table 8. Sodium in the root and crown clear juice was quite low compared to the other impurity constituents measured, except for chlorides (Table 13). However, the overall weighted average sodium concentration for 1968 was more than double that in 1967 (137 versus 60 mg/100 g RDS). The average crown/root ratios were quite different for the two tests (2.39 in 1967 and 1.45 in 1968). In each test, ratios varied slightly within and between treatments 37 .000>00000000 .000000000000 00 000 000>00 *0 000 $0 000 00 000000000000 000010 00000000 0Z 000 .«0 .0 00.0 00.0 000 000 000 0>< 0000 05.0 00.0 00 000 50 0>< 0009 02 «0 0* «0 00.0 00.0 00 00 50 5 .>oz 02 *0 «0 0* 00.0 50.0 00 00 00 00 .000 00.0 00.0 000 000 000 00 .000 00.0 00.0 00 00 00 0 .000 05.0 00.0 000 000 000 00 .0000 00.0 00.0 00 000 05 00 .0000 000>000 000>00m *0 02 0 02 02 0 *0 02 00.0 00.0 00 000 00 0 00.0 00.0 000 000 000 0 00.0 50.0 00 000 00 0 00.0 00.0 000 500 000 0 05.0 00.0 00 000 00 0 NMMHMMM .NMMflmmw 02 0 0 02 00.0 00.0 000 050 500 .00 0.00 50.0 50.0 000 000 000 .00 0.0 dmwmmmw 02 «0 «0 *0 02 «0 0% 0 05.0 00.0 050 000 000 €\000 000 05.0 00.0 05 000 00 0\000 000 00.0 00.0 00 500 00 0\000 00 50.0 00.0 00 00 00 0\0n0 00 0000000 2 0000000 z m 000 0 80024 as .0 000 0 80002 as 03000 0000 0>m 03000 0000 000800009 03000 0000 0>¢ 03000 0000 000800009 0> 03000 003 0> .mmmmw 003 0000 0000 0000 5000 03000 000 0000 000000050 00 850000 00 0000 000>000 000 .000000> .0000000 00000 .0000000000000 00000000 00 000000 .0 00009 38 but only the varietal ratios in 1967 were significantly different. Apparently, accumulations of sodium in root and crown vary quite independently of each other between tests but not within a given test. Sodium in root and crown was 41% and 28% greater respectively, at the high than at the low N level in 1967, and 79% and 72% greater at high N in 1968. Results for variety 5 pointedly illustrate the independence between crown and root in sodium accumulation between tests. The concentration in the crown was 2.7 times greater than that of the root in 1967 and only 1.5 times that of the root in 1968. Sodium concentration in the crown was significantly lower (by only 13 mg) at the close versus wide plant spacing in 1968, but sodium in the root was not different for the two Spacings. Although sodium levels remained relatively stable over the last three harvest dates in 1967, sodium in the root and crown decreased 46% and 39%, respectively, between. the first and second harvest. In 1968, sodium in both the root and crown decreased about 30% between the two harvest dates. Significant interactions between treatments occurred only in 1967. Nitrogen x variety interactions for both root and crown were pertinent in that differences in sodium con- centration between low and high N were much less for variety 2 than for varieties 3 and 5. 39 All r values for sodium were positive, significant and generally uniform within and between treatments. Aver- age coefficients for each test were quite close (0.78 in 1967 and 0.84 in 1968). Reducing Sugars Results for reducing sugars are given in Table 9. Averages for reducing sugars were higher in 1968 than in 1967 (545 versus 401 for roots and 663 versus 612 mg/100 g RDS for crowns). Greater differences in reducing sugars between root and crown occurred in 1967 and this gave a crown/root ratio 0.32 above that of 1968 (1.55 versus 1.23). Crown/root ratios each year were quite uniform within treat- ments, except for harvest dates. Increasing the N application in 1968 from the low to high rate increased reducing sugars in both the root and crown by 11%. In 1967, increases were 5% for roots and 9% for crowns. Although variety 3 was lowest in both root and crown reducing sugar concentrations in 1967, differences between the other varieties in each test were quite small and of little practical importance. Reducing sugars in the crown were 37 mg higher at close versus wide spacing but roots were not significantly different. Reducing sugars in root and crown decreased follow- ing the first harvest both years. Between the first two 4O .>Hm>wuommmmu .mUCmoaMHcmHm on mam mam>ma RH Ucm XE mnu um mo:moamwcmwm ummulm mumowwcH mz UCm .ss wm.o mm.H mom moo mgm m>¢ umma vm.o mm.a mew mam Hog m>€ umwB «* *s ** *% om.o om.a ma¢ mom Ohm .>oz * «s ** *% m¢.o 05.H ®N¢ mam Hum .uUO om.o mH.H mmm mam mmm Hm .uoo mm.o mm.H mmv mmm mo¢ .uoo na.o. hm.a Nmm mam mom mm .umwm m¢.o wm.a mam won 00v .ummm umm>nmm umm>nmm mz ss ** *% mz * * mz ov.o H@.H mh¢ woo mag m 0H.o NN.H mmm ovo 0mm 0 N¢.o Hm.a mmm ¢~m 0mm m m¢.o ¢N.H mum omo vmm m m¢.o mm.H om¢ bwo mmfl m Numwnm> Numwum> m2 m2 .1 m2 ~¢.o mH.H mom mvo own .naa ¢.mH Hm.o hm.H mom mmo mwm .ca m.m mcaummm m2 * s * mZ #* ss * mm.o mm.H mam mmo vhm ¢\mnq oma mo.o hm.H meg mmo oaw ¢\mnq oma mo.o mm.a mmm mmo mam <\mnq om H¢.o mm.a omw mmm mmm £\mna gm wwwamafi Z Umaaamm z m mam m 033.63“ a m mam m ooawmémm ma czouu uoom m>€ G3OHU uoom ucmfiummue GBOHU uoom m>< czono poom ucmfiummne m> .mmmmw Caz m> .dmmmw oak uoom . noom mmma z mama czono mam uOOH ummflummSm aw mummsm mcwosomu co mumo umm>nm£ 0cm .mumflum> .mcaommm unmam .coHumuaafiuHmm ammonuw: mo uommmm .m manna 41 dates in 1967, reductions were 57 mg for roots and 150 mg for crowns. In 1968, reducing sugars drOpped 45 mg in roots and 97 mg in crowns between September and late October. In a nitrogen x variety x date interaction for roots in 1968, variety 5 accounted for almost all of the increase in reducing sugars between low and high N on the first harvest date whereas both varieties (5 and 6) increased similarly from low to high N on the second date of harvest. All r values between root and crown for reducing sugars in 1967 were positive and significant, but variable within the nitrogen and harvest date treatments. In 1968, coefficients were variable within all treatments. The lower r value for each treatment pair was not significant. Average coefficients were lower in 1968 (0.34) than in 1967 (0.54). Raffinose Table 10 presents raffinose values. Average raffinose content in roots and crowns in 1967 was approximately triple that of 1968. Overall values for roots were 834 and 300 mg/100 g RDS, and for crowns, 1232 and 453 mg/100 g RDS for 1967 and 1968, respectively. Since colder temperatures are believed to promote raffinose accumulation, differences in initial concentra- tions for these two tests may be partially eXplained by climatological data. These data indicated that the average daily temperature for July, August, and September, 1967 at 42 .>Hm>wuommmmu .wocmoHMHcmwm on cam mam>ma RH cam Rm mnu um mocmoamwcmam ammulm mumoaocw mz 0cm .t« .* mh.o mn.a omm mmv oom m>< umme mn.o mm.a Hmm Nmma gmm m>< umme ¥¥ «2% aft anyn ~¢.o mm.H mhma omma Hmaa h .>oz mz as 4* as m¢.o hm.a mmoa tha 5mm gm .uoo oa.o 50.H mm¢ mmm meg Hm .uoo mm.o mm.a wow wow 5N0 m .uoo mm.o mh.H wam mmm oma mm .umwm oa.o mm.a goo Hmoa mom wa .ummm umm>umm umm>umm st mZ ss m2 m2 * «4 m2 mn.o H¢.H ham moaa mmm m m>.o mm.a mam 0mg mmm @ mh.o mm.H Ham hhma mmm m mn.o mm.H com who oam m hm.o mm.a 5mm mmma Nvm N a 3 m2 m2 «# m2 om.o ¢©.a nam 0mg Hmm .GH ¢.ma mn.0 Hm.a 0mm 00¢ mom .ca m.m ,deMMMW 94 m2 m2 m2 m2 1. a. a. om.o Ho.a Hgm mm¢ mam m\mnq omH gh.o H©.H «om mmaa mom «\mnq omH ab.o wm.a Nam mvg mmm ¢\mnq om mw.o m¢.H mmm Ohma com m\mnq gm Umwammd z vmflaaam Z m mam m ooabmmm as .m mam m ooahmmm ms c3ouu poem m>< czouo uoom uswEummnB GBOHU uoom m>¢ czouo poom ucmEummuB m> csono cuz m> .mmmmw on: . poom uoom mmma boma csouo cam noon ummflummSm cw mmocammmu co mumo umm>nm£ cam .mumfium> .mcaommm woman .GOAumuwafiuHmm cmmouuwc mo uommmm .oa magma 43 Bay City, Michigan, were 2.5, 5.3, and 4.6 F lower, respec- tively, than for the same months in 1968 at nearby St. Charles, Michigan. Overall crown/root ratios for raffinose were similar for each year and averaged 1.64. Ratios were significantly different only within the variety and harvest date treat- ments in 1967. Raffinose in root and crown was 51 and 75 mg lower, respectively, in 1967 at high compared to low N but differ- ences between N treatments were not significant in 1968. Differences between varieties (1967 and 1968) and between plant Spacings (1968) for raffinose content in the crown were significant but small. Root and crown raffinose increased markedly as harvest progressed. Between the September and late October harvests, raffinose in the root increased 58% and 115% in 1967 and 1968, respectively, while in crowns it increased 39% and 80%. For uneXplainable reasons, crown raffinose decreased 254 mg between the first and second dates in 1967, but then increased 664 mg at the third harvest. A nitrogen x date interaction for roots in 1967 showed that raffinose was 150 mg less at high N than at low N on the first harvest date but the difference between N levels was 30 mg or less for the last three harvest dates. In 1968, the same interaction was significant but showed a decline of only 9 mg from low to high N at the first harvest date and an increase of 56 mg at the second harvest date. 44 High correlation values for raffinose were evident within the nitrogen, spacing, and variety treatments both years. Coefficients within harvest dates were variable and much lower than for other treatments. Values for the first harvest in 1967 and both harvests in 1968 were not signifi— cant. Both tests had overall correlations of 0.79 between root and crown. Sum of Analyzed Impurities Analyzed impurities are presented in Table 11 for 1967 and Table 12 for 1968. Summation of the five analyzed impurities for 1968 accounted for 53% and 56% (test averages) of the total impurities in the root and crown, respectively. In 1967, analyzed impurities were 6L% of the total impurities in both the root and crown. The percent analyzed in root and crown increased in both tests at the high compared to low N rate and at later harvests versus early harvests (except for crowns at the first harvest in 1967). Varieties differed in percent analyzed impurities from root and crown in 1967 (variety 5 was highest) but not in 1968. Crown/root ratios for analyzed impurities (test averages of 1.81 in 1967 and 1.73 in 1968) were very similar to those obtained for total impurities (1.84 in 1967 and 1.63 in 1968). Effects of treatments on analyzed impurities were very similar to those obtained on total impurities. 45 Table 11. Effect of nitrogen fertilization, variety, and harvest date on the sum of analyzed impurities and the percent of analyzed to total impurities in sugarbeet root and crown (1967) Sum of Analyzed Total Impurities Wtd Crown Treatment Root Crown Avg Root Root Crown mg An.Imp/100 g RDS Percent N Applied 24 Lbs/A 3103 5654 3600 1.83 60 60 150 Lbs/A 3881 6900 4636 1.79 63 63 ** ** ** NS Variety 2 3463 5959 4039 1.73 58 61 3 3460 6240 4012 1.83 59 59 5 3554 6631 4303 1.88 68 65 NS ** ** * Harvest Sept. 14 3756 6884 4444 1.85 53 62 Oct. 5 3248 5641 3800 1.75 62 59 Oct. 24 3373 6286 4018 1.88 64 61 Nov. 7 3593 6296” 4212 1.76 70 63 ** ** ** * Test Avg 3492 6277 4118 1.81 61 61 * **, and NS indicate F-test significance at the 5% and 1% levels and no significance, respectively. 46 Table 12. Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and harvest date on the sum of analyzed impurities and the percent of analyzed to total impurities in sugarbeet root and crown (1968) Sum of Analyzed Total Impurities Wtd Crown Treatment Root Crown Avg Root Root Crown mg,An.Imp/100 g RDS Percent N’Applied 30 Lbs/A 2788 4873 3114 1.76 51 54 150 Lbs/A 3795 6291 4290 1.69 55 59 ** ** ** NS gaging 9.8 in. 3166 5561 3585 1.79 54 56 15.4 in. 3418 5603 3818 1.66 52 56 ** NS * ** Variety 5 3336 5938 3818 1.80 54 57 6 3247 5226 3585 1.65 52 55 NS ** 'k ** Harvest Sept. 23 3303 5697 3732 1.74 52 53 Oct. 21 3280 5467 3671 1.71 54 59 NS NS NS NS Test Avg 3292 5582 3702 1.73 53 56 * respectively. **, and NS indicate F-test significance at the 5% and 1% levels and no significance, 47 Chlorides Values for chlorides in 1968 are given in Table 13. Chloride concentrations for variety 5 averaged 136 and 278 mg/100 g RDS for root and crown, respectively, which were somewhat greater than those for sodium. The overall crown/root ratio was 2.17 but it varied significantly within nitrogen and Spacing treatments. No significant differences in chloride values in root or in crown were evident between N levels. However, chloride concentrations in the root were 37% higher both for the wide versus close spacing and for the September versus October harvest. Chlorides in the crown were 13% higher at wide versus close spacing and 30% higher for the September versus October harvest date. All correlation coefficients were positive and significant. Betaine Data for betaine is presented in Table 14. Betaine, a nitrogenous storage compound, accumulated at concentrations similar to those of potassium. Average levels of 932 and 1547 mg/100 g RDS were found in the root and crown, respectively, and gave a crown/root ratio of 1.67. Differences in ratios were very small between treatments. Betaine in the root increased about 1l% from low to high N but did not differ significantly in the crown. Root and crown were both 10% higher in betaine at wide versus 48 Table 13. Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, and harvest date on chlorides in sugarbeet root and crown (1968) Root Wtd Crown vs Treatment Root Crown Avg Root Crown mg Chlorides/100 ngDS .E N'Applied 30 Lbs/A 130 281 154 2.34 0.87 150 Lbs/A 143 276 170 1.99 0.59 NS NS NS ** £21933 9.8 in. 115 262 141 2.39 0.66 15.4 in” 158 295 183 1.94 0.81 ** ** ** ** Harvest Sept. 23 158 315 187 2.12 0.79 Oct. 21 115 242 138 2.22 0.51 *1: ** *1: NS Test Avg 136 278 162 2.17 0.77 * and 1% levels and no significance, respectively. **, and NS indicate F-test significance at the 5% 49 Table 14. Effect of nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, and harvest date on betaine in sugarbeet root and crown (1968) Root Wtd Crown vs Treatment Root Crown Avg Root Crown mngetaine/lOO g RDS ‘g N Applied 30 Lbs/A 885 1518 986 1.72 0.50 150 Lbs/A 979 1575 1100 1.62 0.11 * NS ** NS Spacing 9.8 in. 889 1474 992 1.67 0.26 15.4 in. 975 1620 1094 1.68 0.11 ** *1- ** NS Harvest Sept. 23 946 1587 1064 1.69 0.36 Oct. 21 918 1506 1022 1.66 0.21 NS NS * NS Test Avg 932 1547 1043 1.67 0.32 * I and 1% levels and no significance, **, and NS indicate F-test significance at the 5% respectively. 50 close Spacing. Although trends for root, crown, and weighted averages were lower for the second harvest than for the first, differences were not significant except between weighted averages. Correlation coefficients for betaine were low and only the r value at low N was significant. Percent Recovery of Sucrose Percentages for sucrose recovery are given in Table 15. Average percent recovery values (extractions based on juice purity) for roots were higher in 1967 than 1968 (88 versus 87). Recovery for crowns was 79% for both years. However, weighted average extractions were only slightly lower than root extractions. Small, but notable differences in recovery occurred between N and between harvest date treatments both years. Recoverable Sucrose per Ton Sucrose per ton is given in Table 16. The average yield of recoverable sucrose per ton for roots and crowns was higher in 1967 due to higher sucrose contents and clear juice purities. Since the prOportion of crown to root weight was higher in 1967 than in 1968, a higher percentage (18 in 1967 versus 14 in 1968) of sucrose per ton of whole beets came from the crowns in 1967. Sig- nificant differences occurred between all treatment means except harvest dates for percent sucrose from crowns. 51 .>Hw>auummmmu .mochHMHcmHm oc ocm me>mH RH pom Rm may um OUCmowmacmflm ummuum mumoapcfi mz cam .¥* .* mm an em m>< umme mm on mm m>¢ umms «Ln aux. 30.1 mm om mm b .>oz s* «s « hm 05 mm vm .uUO ow Hm hm Hm .uoO hm Hm mm m .uoO mm mm Rm mm .uamm em be mm «a .ummm umm>umm umm>umm * «s 4* m2 *4 m2 mm mm mm m om om mm m mm mm mm m mm mu mm m cm om mm N Numwum> Numflum> *% mz ** mm mm mm .ca v.ma mm mm mm .Gfl m.m 3 ss «s %¥ ** ss ** em mm mm m\mnq omH mm mm mm ¢\mnq oma hm Hm mm ¢\mnq om mm Hm mm ¢\mnq vm Umwaam< z Uwaaaam z Num>oomm mmouosm ucmoumm wum>oowm mmouosm ucmoumm m>m czouo uoom ucmEummuB m>< :3OHU uoom ucmEummHB Caz was mmma homa czouo pom noon umwnummdm Baum mmouosm mo mnm>oomu ucmoumm co mump umm>umn can .mumaum> .mcaommm ucmam .coflumuaaauumm cmmouuac mo pommmm .ma magma 52 0c pom mHm>mH KR paw Rm map um mochHMflcmHm umwulm mumowpcfl mz 0cm .xx .%Hm>auommmmu .mocmowmflcmflm s % va mvm mom 5mm m>m puma ma mum 0mm hmm m>¢ umma m2 xx xx xx ma mmm mmm 0mm h .>oz mz xx xx xx ha bum mmm mmm vm .UUO va mmm mmm ohm Hm .uoo ma mum mmm 0mm m .uoo 4H 5mm «ma 5mm mm .ummm ma mmm omm mom 4H .ummm umm>umm umm>umm ¥¥ ¥¥ ¥ ¥¥ x xx xx mz ma vhm vmm 0mm m ea Hmm mam mmm m 0H new vmm mmm m ma mew mom vmm m ma mom 0mm 0mm N Numfium> Numwum> xx xx m2 xx ma mew mom Hmm .GH ¢.ma ma mmm mew mew .CA m.m .dmmmmmw xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx ma wmm ema vem m\mnq oma om mom can mum ¢\mnq oma ma mom Ham ohm axmnq om 6H 4mm 6mm 6mm «\mnq em pmwaddx z pmwaaom z Mdmmmmm coawmmouosm mnq Mdmmmmm :09\mmouonm men GBOHU m>< c3ouo Doom ucmsummue czouo m>¢ c3ouu Doom ucmsummua Eoum pug Eonm puz mmouosm mmouosm mama noma mczouo cam muoou ummflummsm mo ecu mom meHUSm manmnm>oomu co mump umm>umn 0cm .mumanm> .mcaommm unmam .GOaumuaawuumw cmmouuwa mo uommwm .oa manna 53 This was due to differences in proportion of crown weight being produced by the treatments. Fewer pounds of sucrose per ton were produced at high than at low N. The difference between N levels for roots was 18 pounds in 1967 and 26 pounds in 1968, and for crowns, 20 pounds in 1967 and 27 pounds in 1968. The maximum difference between varieties in each test for sucrose per ton from roots or from crowns was 11 pounds. However, variety 5 produced 36 fewer pounds of sucrose per ton from roots in 1968 than in 1967. Close spacing of beets (1968) gave 11 pounds more sucrose per ton of roots than wide spacing but sucrose produced from crowns was not significantly different for the two plant spacings. Greater increases in sucrose per ton of roots and of crowns occurred between the two harvests in 1968 than between any two harvest dates in 1967, but levels were initially higher in 1967. Nitrogen x date interactions for roots were sig- nificant both years and showed that greater reductions in sucrose per ton from low to high N occurred at the first harvest dates (27 and 26 pounds difference in 1967 and 1968, respectively). Differences between low and high N on other dates both years were about 15 pounds per ton. A nitrogen x variety interaction in 1967 showed that varieties were not equally susceptible to the high N rate. Sucrose per ton was 27 pounds lower at high N for variety 3, 17 pounds for variety 5, and 10 pounds for variety 2. 54 Recoverable Sucrose per Acre Table 17 presents data for recoverable sucrose per acre. Sucrose per acre yields for root and crown were higher in 1967 than in 1968. Crowns accounted for 1160 pounds (19%) of the total sucrose produced per acre in 1967 and 801 pounds (14%) in 1968. The proportion that crowns contributed to total sucrose yields differed within all treatments both years except for harvest dates (when the prOportion of crown by weight remained constant). The sucrose per acre in roots was 415 pounds less at high N in 1967, and, although the difference was not signif- icant (probability 0.20) in 1968, yield at high N was about 200 pounds less than at low N. Sucrose yields from crowns were higher both years at the high compared to low N level, entirely due to increases in crown weight at high N. Total sucrose yields were not significantly different for the two N levels either year, but they were slightly higher at low N. Variety 5 had the highest root, crown, and total sucrose per acre each year and the crown contributed more to total sucrose than crowns of other varieties. Although root and total sucrose yields were not significantly different for the two plant spacings (1968), they were slightly higher at the close spacing. 55 .mam>auommmmu .OOCmOawac Imam on new mam>ma XH cam Rm mnu um mocmuamacmam ummulm mumoapca mz new .xx .x «a mmmm aom wwnv m>< umma ma ammo ooaa amom m>¢ umms mz x xx xx ma moon mama ammm n .>oz mz xx xx xx ma mmmm mmaa ome em .uoO va ammo wmm vam .uoo ma ommw Nmaa vvam m .uoO ea meow moo moov .ummm ma meme mmm mqov «a .ummm umm>umm umm>umm «If .1 «:1 *us. x mz xx mz om evho mmma mavm m ea aomm men mace @ ma vmmm mmm mmmv m ma mmom vmm wmmv m om naao ooma oamw m a 3 xx mz x m2 ma movm mmm mmow .Ca v.ma ma hmmm vow mmmv .ca m.m mammmmm xx m2 xx mZ xx m2 xx xx ma Nomm mum mmov m\mna oma am nmao mnma fimmv ¢\mna oma ma hvmm mun mamv ¢\mna om ma memo hvoa mmmm ¢\mna vm pmaaaqm z pmaammm z unmoumm muom\wmouosm mad mmmmmmm. mno¢\mmouosm mna amuOB amuoe c3ono uoom ucmEumeB amuoe amuoa GBOHU uoom ucmEummua mmmwm Immmmw mmma homa mummfl maOQB 0cm .mczouo .muoou ummnummsm Bonn whom mom mmouosm manmnm>oomu co mump umm>nmc Ucm .mumaum> .mcaommm unmam .GOaumuaaauHmm cmmoHuac mo uommmm .ha wanB 56 Pounds of recoverable sucrose per acre from roots were nearly identical both years for the September and for the late October harvests. Sucrose yields for roots and crowns increased as harvest dates progressed both years, due to the complementary factors of increasing quality and/or weight. DISCUSSION Crowns contributed substantially to total sucrose yields. Average sucrose content in the crown was 14.2 in 1967 and 13.0 in 1968, and clear juice purities were about 90% both years. A ton of crowns with these sucrose contents and juice purities would produce an average of 217 pounds of sucrose. Harvesting four to five tons of crowns per acre would, then, increase the average recoverable sucrose per acre by 800 to 1,000 pounds. These results strongly infer that crowns should be considered an economic unit of sugar production. By processing whole beets, weighted average values for sucrose, juice purity, and recoverable sucrose per ton would be slightly less than for roots alone. Differences in values between whole beets and roots for two years averaged 0.35 for sucrose content, 0.85 for clear juice purity and 11.5 pounds of recoverable sucrose per ton. Nitrogen fertilization affected yields, sucrose, and juice purities of roots and crowns. Although root yields were not significantly different at the two N levels in either test, 200 to 400 more pounds of sucrose per acre were produced at the low N level due to higher sucrose and juice purity in the root. Crown yields were about 37% greater at 57 58 high N both years and this gave, despite a much lower sucrose and juice purity, 150 to 230 more pounds of sucrose per acre from crowns than low N. Since the higher recover- able sucrose per acre for roots at low N was only partially offset by crowns at high N, total recoverable sucrose per acre was slightly, but not significantly, higher at the low N level both years. Delaying harvest showed pronounced effects on root and crown deve10pment. Increases in root and crown for weight, sucrose content, and juice purity increased total recoverable sucrose per acre approximately 1700 pounds from mid-September to late October both years. This large in- crease in recoverable sucrose embraces significant economic implications. Since most of the increase may occur by the second week in October, harvest should be delayed until then. Spacing plants 9.8 and 15.4 inches apart in 1968 produced subtle, but significant, effects on root and crown. Root yields were not different at the two spacings but sucrose content and clear juice purity were both higher at the closer Spacing. For crowns, the weight was Slightly higher at the wide spacing but sucrose and juice purity were not different for the two spacings. The increase in crown weight at wide spacing only partially offset the influence of higher root quality at close spacing so that total recov- erable sucrose per acre was Slightly higher at close Spacing, but not significantly so. 59 The results indicated that varieties or hybrids can be developed which would produce smaller proportions of crown to root. Even using different pollinators on the same Fl female altered the proportion of crown. Root yields will have to be increased, at least proportionately, to compen- sate for the reduction in crown weight so that total recov- erable sucrose per acre can be maintained or increased. The technique for, and degree of, topping experimen- tal beets should be thoroughly considered before harvesting begins, because the proportion of crown to root weight (or crown to total weight), as well as sucrose content and juice purity, can be influenced rather easily by treatments. It would also be helpful to report the degree of tOpping used when results are published. Concentrations of total impurities in the clear juice were approximately 70% higher in crowns than in roots, but weighted averages for whole beets exceeded roots by only 18% in 1967 and 11% in 1968. Handling greater amounts of impurities in factory processes will be necessary, however, in order to realize net gains in recoverable sucrose per acre from processing crowns. Total impurities for roots averaged at least 20%, and for crowns, 17% greater at high N than at low N in both tests. Since total recoverable sucrose per acre at low N was equal to or Slightly greater than that obtained at high N, the introduction of these greater concentrations of 6O impurities into factory operations can be entirely avoided by judiciously regulating nitrogen fertilization. Even though the total impurity concentration for roots was greater at the wide plant spacing, only potassium was Significantly higher. The effect of spacing on the individual impurities in crowns was variable, so that total impurities were not significantly different for the two spacings involved in 1968. Total impurities in root and crown declined follow- ing the first harvest date each year. Amino acids in root and crown decreased only in 1967 but potassium, sodium, and reducing sugars declined both years. According to the 1967 results, a much greater proportion of the decrease for these four impurities would be eXpected before the second week in October. These greater decreases, along with expected in- creases in yield and sucrose content, reinforce the argument for delaying harvest until early October. Raffinose in root and crown increased substantially both years as harvest was delayed and greater proportionate increases occurred after October 5. This Situation undoubtedly accounts for most of the rise in the percent analyzed portion of the total impu— rities for the later harvests. If raffinose accumulations during October could be slowed or prevented, further reduc— tions in total impurities may be possible. Two important results concerning varieties emerged from the tests. First, if varieties were to be arranged in 61 rank order for total impurities, the rank for roots and crowns would not neceSSarily be the same. Variety 5 (1967) was lowest for total impurities in the root but intermediate for impurities in the crown. Conversely, variety 2 was high- est for root but lowest for crown impurities. Thus the ideal solution, for processing purposes, would be a combination of impurities in root and crown giving the lowest weighted aver- age for the whole beet. Secondly, it may be necessary in the future to characterize varieties for individual rather than total impurities. Variety 2 had the highest total impurity concentration in the root of the three varieties tested in 1967 but was lowest for amino acids. Variety 5, lowest in total impurities, was highest in amino acids. SUMMARY AND CONCLUS IONS EXperiments were conducted on sugarbeets in Michigan in 1967 and 1968 to ascertain the relationships between root and crown for weight, sucrose content, clear juice purity, concentrations of impurity constituents, and recovery of sucrose from simulated factory operations. Treatments such as nitrogen fertilization, plant spacing, variety, and har- vest date were incorporated into the eXperiments in order to exert environmental and genetic effects on root and crown development. The principle results were as follows: 1. Crowns contributed an average of 22% (5.1 tons) and 11% (3.9 tons) to total yields and 19% (1160 pounds) and 14% (801 pounds) to total recoverable sucrose per acre in 1967 and 1968, respectively. 2. Sucrose recovered per ton of crowns average 217 pounds and the amount recovered from roots averaged 272 pounds. 3. Sucrose and clear juice purity values for crowns were lower than those for roots. Numerical differ- ences between root and crown averaged 2.0 and 1.7 for sucrose content and 4.5 and 3.7 for juice purity in 1967 and 1968, respectively. 62 63 Total impurities in the clear juice of crowns aver— aged l.74 times greater than those of roots. Concentrations of all individual impurity constit- uents in the clear juice were higher in the crown than in the root. Amino acids, potassium, reducing sugars, and raffinose in the crown averaged 2.4, 1.4, 1.4, and 1.6 times greater than those in the root, respectively, for the two years. The ratios for sodium were 2.4 in 1967 and 1.5 in 1968. Chlo- ride and betaine concentrations in crowns were 2.2 and 1.7 times greater than root concentrations, respectively, in the 1968 test. Root yields did not differ Significantly for the two N levels but crown yields were approximately 37% greater at the high N level. Sucrose contents, clear juice purities, and pounds of recoverable sucrose per ton for roots and crowns were signif- icantly higher at the low N level, but total recoverable sucrose per acre was not significantly different for the two N levels. Total impurities in the clear juice were greater at the high N level for both the root and crown. Within the group of individual impurities, percentage increases from low to high N were greatest for amino acids and sodium. 10. 64 Crown yields were Slightly greater at the wide spacing but root yields were equal for both spacings. Values for crowns were not different for the two Spacings, but for roots, the sucrose content, juice purity, and recoverable sucrose per ton was Signif- icantly higher at the close spacing. Total recover- able sucrose per acre was not Significantly different for the two plant spacings. Total impurities in the clear juice averaged 11% higher for roots at wide Spacing, but spacing did not significantly affect crown impurities. Varieties differed considerably in weight of roots and crowns both years, but not substantially so in sucrose content or clear juice purity. The propor- tion of crown to root differed among three varieties (1967) and was altered by the use of different pollinators on two hybrid crosses (1968)° The yield, sucrose content, clear juice purity, and recoverable sucrose per acre of root and crown increased as harvesting was delayed. Most of the individual impurities in the root and crown declined as harvest progressed. However, raffinose in root and crown nearly doubled each year between the first and last harvest dates. The association between root and crown for yield, sucrose content, clear juice purity, and seven 65 impurity constituents was determined by correlation. The degrees of association were usually lower than eXpected and variable because of location and treat— ment effects. Highest average r values (over 0.70) were obtained for sucrose content in 1968 and con- centrations of amino acids, sodium, and raffinose in both tests. BIBLIOGRAPHY BIBLIOGRAPHY Artschwager, E. 1926. Anatomy of the vegetative organs of the sugar beet. J. Agr. Res. 33(2):143—l76. Aylesworth, J. W., E. F. Bolton, and C. E. Broadwell. 1967. Effect of row width and nitrogen on root yield, sucrose percent and clear juice purity of sugar beets on a Brookston clay soil. Proc. 14th E. Reg. Meetings ASSBT; pp. 50-54. Baldwin, C. S. 1967. Nitrogen and sugarbeet culture. Proc. 14th E. Reg. Meetings ASSBT; pp. 42-46. Bernfeld, P. 1961. Enzymes of starch degradation and synthesis. Adv. Enzymology 12:379-395. Brown, R. J., and R. R. Wood. 1952. Improvement of processing quality of sugar beets by breeding methods. Proc. ASSBT 7:314-318. Bush, H. L. 1954. Yield and quality of certain sugar beet varieties harvested at weekly intervals. Proc. ASSBT 8(2):l37-139. Carruthers, A. 1962. A review of recent developments in the chemistry of sugar beet. J. ASSBT 12(1):31-42. , and J. F. T. Oldfield. 1962. Methods for the assessment of beet quality. In: The Technological Value of the Sugar Beet. Elsevier Publishing Company, New York, New York. , and H. J. Teague. 1965. The influence of crown removal on beet quality. Presented at: The 18th Ann. Tech. Conf., British Sugar Corp., Nottingham, England. Coons, G. H. 1948. Space relationships as affecting yield and quality of sugar beets. Proc. ASSBT 5:252-268. Dahlberg, H. W. 1942. Non-sugar relationships in breeding high-purity beets. Proc. ASSBT 3:322-325. 66 67 Dexter, S. T., M. G. Frakes, and F. W. Snyder. 1967. A rapid and practical method of determining extractable white sugar as may be applied to the evaluation of agronomic practices and grower deliveries in the sugar beet industry. 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