Soil Factors Affecting the Sugar Content of Sugar Beets in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska

It has been noted that there are areas in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, which consistently produce sugar beets of a low sugar content. The purpose of this investigation was to study the nature of the variation in sugar content of sugar beets grown in a portion of Scotts Bluff County and the relationship between the variation in sugar content and soil properties. Results of this study indicate that the low-sugar area has a slightly above-average content of nitrogen and available sodium in the soil. This condition could have resulted from the management practices connected with irrigation from the inherent nature (Climatic) of the soil. Advisor: H. F. Rhoades