Strip Tillage Versus Broadcast N Application for Sugar Beet and Dry Bean.

Strip-till placement of N was compared to broadcast N application for sugar beets and dry beans during 2006 and 2007 near Scottsbluff, NE. Effects on sugar beet stand, yield, sugar content and sucrose production and sugar loss to molasses were evaluated. For dry beans, stand and final yield effects were measured. No significant N method effects or N rate by method interactions were shown for either crop. N rate significantly increased yield of both crops. For sugar beets the optimum N rate that maximized recoverable sucrose was near 105 lbs N/acre in 2006 and 80 lbs in 2007. For dry beans, an N rate of 80 lbs N/acre maximized yields each year. The research showed the importance of testing for residual nitrate for both crops and that current UNL recommendations are adequate for high dry bean and sugar beet yields.  Soil sampling following sugar beet showed good recovery of residual nitrate whether N was broadcast or strip-till applied.