Effect of Transplanting and Plastic Cover on Growth of Sugar Beets1

AbstractTwo field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of transplanting and plastic cover on the seasonal growth and yield of sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L.). Both transplanting and plastic cover increased leaf areas in June and early July and increased final root yields. Earlier planting also increased early leaf areas and final root yields. The results showed that treatments increasing leaf area in June and early July increased final root yields, but differences in leaf area that occurred in August or later were not associated with differences in yields. Transplanting or plastic cover increased recoverable sucrose production as much as 44 to 48% over the conventionally planted sugar beets in 1968 and 26 to 27% in 1969. The advantages of these practices were greater for April than for May plantings.