ABSTRACT
Sugar beets grow best in regions that have sunny days and cool nights. They require slightly acid to neutral soils (pH 5.8 to 7.0) and high water requirements. They are frequently grown under irrigation. The enlarged portion of the root is called the beet. It normally weighs 1-1/2 to 3 lb and has a tap root extending to soil depths of 2 to 5 feet. The sugar (sucrose) content of a beet ranges from 15 to 20% of fresh weight. Sugar content is affected by climate. Near-harvest moisture stress increases percent of beet sugar content. Fertility (nitrogen) stress increases beet sugar content. It takes about 1.07 tons of raw sugar to produce 1 ton of refined sugar.
