Evaluating zone tillage for sugar beet production in Southern Alberta
Dunn,R., D.Werk, J.Casson, L.Papwork, D.Mikalson, P.Regitnig and G.Nikles. 2007.
Abstract
Southern Alberta farmers wage an ongoing battle to prevent soil degradation in the
production of high revenue but low residue irrigated row-crops like potatoes, beans
and sugar beets. For sugar beets, one of the most vulnerable periods is just after
planting when winds can erode uncovered soil and severely damage emerged
seedlings. Reduced tillage during seedbed preparation has contributed to
improved wind erosion control for sugar beet production in recent years.
Zone tillage, often referred to as strip tillage, confines pre-plant soil disturbance
and fertilizer application to the seed row, leaving the inter-row area intact -
although this area may be tilled later in the season for weed control if necessary.
Seed is then placed directly into this prepared zone, often with the aid of a residue
manager system that helps sweep crop residue from the row area. Soil is
protected by anchored crop residue with the seed-row relatively bare to promote
soil warming and improved crop vigour.
Recently, a sugar beet grower in the Taber area has developed and successfully
grown sugar beets using a 24-row zone tillage implement. Rogers Sugar research
staff evaluated the effect of zone tillage on spring soil temperatures and sugar
beet production, initially within the farmer%u2019s field and then in a 3 year small plot
experiment at their research farm (1, 2). These trials were conducted using a 6-
row zone tillage implement built by Alberta Agriculture and Food (AF), patterned
after the farmer's 24-row unit design.
To further evaluate sugar beet production potential with zone tillage, AF initiated a
field scale strip-trial at the CACDI Irrigation Demonstration Farm beginning in 2006
to compare the influence of zone tillage on soil temperature, early season frost
risk, plant emergence, yield and quality with a conventional tillage system. As
well, the 2007 growing season included monitoring soil nutrient dynamics and the
effects of straw removal for zone tillage of sugar beets.
