Macro-N (nitrogen) deficiency
Nitrogen deficiency in sugar beet causes reduced root and sugar yield. Nitrogen-deficient sugar beet plants are significantly smaller and their growth is stunted. The leaves of affected plants are initially light green, then turn uniformly yellow as the deficiency progresses. The yellowing is uniform across the entire leaf, distinguishing it from some other deficiencies that cause patchy or interveinal symptoms.
Kimat’s proposed solution:
Macro-K (Potassium) deficiency
Early symptoms of potassium deficiency include small brown necrotic spots that first appear on the margins (edges) of the leaves. As the deficiency becomes more severe, these necrotic areas can extend toward the midrib but usually do not involve the veins. Leaves turn yellow at the tips and along the edges, and necrosis (dead tissue) progresses inward from the edge of the leaf toward the center.
Kimat’s proposed solution:
Deficiency of microelements – manganese (Mn)
Sugar beet is sensitive to manganese (Mn) deficiency, which can appear at the 2-leaf stage. The most obvious symptom is yellow spotting between the veins on older leaves, while the veins and the small border around them remain green, giving the leaf a “spotted” appearance.
Kimat’s proposed solution:
Micronutrient deficiency – Boron (B)
The first symptoms appear on young leaves, which become wrinkled, brittle, and small. As the deficiency progresses, these leaves may curl and develop black or brown corky spots on the petioles. Wilting symptoms are seen on both young and older leaves. Younger leaves can turn black and dry, while older leaves may show interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between the leaf veins).
Kimat’s proposed solution:
Secondary macronutrient deficiency – sulfur (S)
Sulfur deficiency in sugar beets causes yellowing of the leaves. Unlike nitrogen deficiency, which first affects older leaves, in sulfur deficiency both older and younger leaves turn yellow simultaneously. The visual symptoms of sulfur deficiency are very similar to nitrogen deficiency, but the main difference is where the yellowing of the leaves begins. In nitrogen deficiency, yellowing begins in older leaves and young leaves remain green; while in sulfur deficiency, yellowing is observed generally and simultaneously in all leaves. In severe cases of sulfur deficiency, irregular brown spots appear on the leaves and petioles. Sulfur deficiency reduces plant growth and reduces root yield and sugar percentage.
