Deficit, High‐frequency Irrigation of Sugarbeets with the Line Source Technique

Abstract

Abstract Studies were conducted on sandy and loam soils to determine the effect of deficit, daily sprinkler irrigation on sugar production from sugarbeets ( Beta vulgaris L.) using the line source technique. With a loam soil near the upper limit of available water at the start of the irrigation season, daily sprinkler irrigation rates of sugarbeets were reduced to 35 to 50% of estimated evapotranspiration (ET) rates without reducing sugar yields. On a sandy soil, sugar yields increased with irrigation rates up to 100% estimated ET, the maximum rate applied.