| Beets
Frank J. Dainello, Extension Horticulturist
Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University |
 |
|
VARIETIES
Detroit Dark Red S. T., Red Ace, Red Cloud, Warrior
|
SOIL PREFERENCE
Well drained sandy or silt loams with pH 6.5 - 8.0. Liming required at pH
< 5.8. Will tolerate heavy soils.
|
OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS
Cool conditions, night temperature 45-55oF; day 60-75oF.
Will not tolerate hot conditions, fairly cold tolerant. |
ESTABLISHMENT METHOD
Direct seeded
| Optimum time= |
| Spring- |
when soil seed zone temperature >45oF |
| Fall- |
when soil seed zone temp <95oF. |
| Seeding rate lbs/A= |
8 - 10; precision planted, 6. |
| Approximate seed/oz= |
1600 |
| Seeding depth= |
1/2 - 3/4". |
| Seedling spacing= |
2 " in-row in 1 - 2 lines on 38-40" wide raised bed. |
|
FERTILITY/FERTILIZATION
Rates presented as actual lbs/A N2, P2O5 and K2O (base actual application
rates on soil test results). |
| Generalized rate lbs/A |
80 - 80 - 90 |
| N- |
60 - 120, one half pre-plant broadcast incorporated; top or side
dressed 3 - 4 weeks after planting. |
| P- |
70 - 80, banded 1 - 2" below seed at planting. |
| K- |
80 - 100, applied with the nitrogen pre-plant (normally only required
in East Texas). |
| Bo- |
Boron deficiency can cause root cankers; if needed foliar apply
1 lb/A H2B |
|
WATER/IRRIGATION
10 - 15" uniformly applied, critical stage is during stand establishment
and early growth. Cannot tolerate water-logged or over-irrigated soils.
|
PEST MANAGEMENT |
| Major Diseases |
Control |
| Downy mildew |
Cabrio, fixed copper |
| Leaf spot |
Cabrio, fixed copper, Quadris |
| Seedling damping-off |
Ridomil Gold |
| Nematode |
K-Pam, Nemacur 3, Telone II |
|
| Major Insects |
Control |
| Aphid |
diazinon, Provado |
| Beet Armyworm |
Lannate, Spintor |
| Webworm |
B.t.'s, Lannate |
| Flea beetle/Leafhopper |
Sevin |
| Wireworm/White grub |
diazinon |
| Stink bug |
Sevin |
| Mite |
sulfur |
|
| Weeds |
Control |
| Preemergence |
Pyramin |
| Preplant incorporated |
Ro-Neet |
| Postemergence |
Pyramin, Poast, Select, Spin-Aid, Stinger |
|
* NOTE--The above is a partial listing of controls intended as examples.
Some of the labels may have been revoked since the publication of this guide.
Always refer to product labels for specifics and use accordingly. Failure
to do so may result in crop injury, death and/or citation for law violation.
Humans, animals and the environment may also be adversely affected by misuse. |
HARVEST
|
| Days after planting= |
50 - 70 |
| Normal method= |
| Processing- |
machine (2" root diameter) |
| Fresh market- |
bunched, normally hand harvested. |
| Containers= |
Processed - bulk bins |
| Grades= |
Bunched, short-trimmed and topped - U.S. #1 & U.S. #2 based on uniformity
and blemishes. |
| Packaging/handling= |
| Fresh market- |
45 lb wire-bound crate or 18 bunch (3 roots/bunch) carton; 1 - 3
mos storage at 32oF and 90 - 95% RH. |
| Anticipated yield/A= |
| Processing- |
10 - 12 tons |
| Fresh market- |
130 - 150 cwt. |
|
TRANSIT CONDITIONS
32oF and 95% RH; do not allow temperature to rise above 45oF.
|
COMMENTS/PRODUCTION KEYS
- Frequent light irrigations, cannot tolerate wet feet.
- Cool growing conditions followed by high temperatures can cause bolting.
- Test soil for boron; deficiency can cause root canker, black pitting,
heart-rot and/or dry rot.
- Do not band boron; if soil applied broadcast 3 - 5 lbs/A pre-plant
incorporate (only if need indicated by soil test).
- Drought conditions can aggravate boron deficiency problem.
- High temperature following a cool growing period can cause loss of
root color.
- Zoning, alternating light and dark rings in roots, is enhanced by
high temperature.
- Stand establishment often difficult due to weak seedling vigor of
plants. Good seed bed a must. Avoid practices which enhance soil crusting.
|
Texas Cooperative
Extension, Horticulture Crop Guides Series
Revised November, 2003
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/beets.html
Prepared for Web delivery by Brooke Bludau, Amanda Zan, and Dan Lineberger |