Sugar in beet roots limited by high temperatures and high levels of soil nitrogen in Kern County tests

Rapid root growth, stimulated by a plentiful supply of soil nitrogen and high summer temperatures, held the sugar content of beet roots down to 15% or lower during July and August in a 1961 field experiment in Kern County. Enough fertilizer nitrogen should be applied to promote early top growth and prevent any deficiency before mid-May. However, a nitrogen deficiency period of from eight to ten weeks before harvest is essential for maximum sugar production from the roots.