The beet is a cool-season, root vegetable that tolerates frosts and mild freezes. Seed germinates at soil temperatures between 40° and 90°F, optimally 50° to 85°F. Because beet plants withstand cool growing conditions and the seed germinates at soil temperatures below 50°F, planting can begin in late April. The best root quality and color are obtained when the crop matures during cool temperatures and bright sunlight. When grown under warm conditions, root color is lighter, sugar content is lower, and color zoning in roots is more pronounced than under cool conditions.

Beets are biennial, normally producing an enlarged root the first growing season and, after a cold induction period, a seedstalk. Premature seedstalk initiation can occur if the plants are subjected to two to three weeks of temperatures below 45°F after they have several true leaves. Plants of some varieties initiate premature seedstalks more readily than others; many of the newer varieties are less sensitive to this problem.

Well-drained, sandy loam to silt loam soil is preferred for best growth and quality. Beets can also be grown on muck soil, but weed control is difficult. A soil with good structure is highly recommended because beets respond favorably to aeration.

A beet seedball normally contains from two to four viable seeds, and more plants than seedballs may result, especially if conditions are favorable for germination. Larger seedballs contain more seeds than do smaller seedballs. Desired plant spacing is obtained by adjusting seeding rate. Plants are sometimes thinned for the fresh market. See Table 14.2.1 Recommended spacing

Table 14.2.1 Recommended spacing.
Type	Row (in inches)	In-row seeding rate¹ (in pounds per acre)
Fresh-market	16-24	8-10
Processing	16-24	15-25

1: The lower rate of seed is sown early so the roots will size quickly for early harvest

14.3 Fertility

Use lime to maintain a pH of 6.5 to 6.8 in all parts of the field. Beets are especially sensitive to low pH and should not be planted in soil with a pH below 6.0. Because beets use boron inefficiently, this element must be applied to most soils in New York. A boron deficiency causes plant foliage to be stunted and distorted, and roots exhibit symptoms of internal breakdown. Boron is less available in high pH soils. Apply 2 1/2 to 5 pounds of boron per acre mixed with fertilizer. Use the lower rate if nutrients have been applied two to three times in the previous five years. Boron is toxic to many plants and care must be taken when developing a rotation plan. Beans, peas, and cucurbits are especially sensitive to boron residues. See Table 14.3.1 for the recommended rates of nitrogen, phophorus, and potassium.

14.4 Harvesting

For fresh market, the crop is usually ready for harvest in 60 to 85 days. The processing crop is harvested in 90 to 110 days, but a thick plant stand can be held in the field for a relatively long time. Processing beets are usually harvested until mid-November. Yields for the fresh market range from eight to 12 tons per acre and approximately 15 to 20 tons per acre for processing.

Machine harvesters are used for the processing crop and for the market crop that is sold topped. Beets for bunching are handpicked and tied. Topped beets can be stored for several months at temperatures near 32°F and 95 to 98 percent relative humidity.

Table 14.3.1 Recommended application rate of nutrients based on soil tests.^1,2
N (pounds/acre)	P₂O₅ (pounds/acre)			K₂O (pounds/acre)			Comments
	Soil Phosphorus Level			Soil Potassium Level
	low	med.	high	low	med.	high
150-175	*150*	*100*	50	*300*	*200*	*100*	*Total recommended*

25-50	75	25	0	225	150	50	Broadcast and disk-in.
25	75	75	50	75	75	50	Band place with planter.
50	0	0	0	0	0	0	Apply three weeks after planting
50	0	0	0	0	0	0	Apply eight weeks after planting

14.5 Disease Management

14.5.1 Leaf spots, caused primarily by Cercospora beticola but also by Phoma batae

Time for concern: Most prevalent in mid to late season with daytime temperatures of 75° to 80°F and with frequent rainfall or long periods of 90 to 100 percent relative humidity.

Key characteristics: Cercospora leaf spot appears as small, circular lesions that are light tan to brown with a distinct dark brown to purple halo. Phoma leaf spot appears as lesions of various size with concentric ring pattern and fruiting bodies of the pathogen. When lesions of both pathogens mature, the centers become gray and brittle and fall out.

*Management Option*			*Recommendation*
Scouting/thresholds			Record the occurrence and severity of leaf spot. No thresholds have been established.
Resistant varieties			No resistant varieties are currently available.
Crop rotation			Minimum two year rotation out of beets with nonhost crops preferably grains.
Site selection			Avoid fields with tree lines and stagnant air circulation, as long duration of leaf-wetness is conducive for disease development. Also, weeds belonging to the family Chenopodiaceae may serve as a source of inoculum.
Fertility			Use nitrogen to promote growth and development of new leaves which are less susceptible to both pathogens and will aid in harvesting.
Seed selection/treatment			Plant commercially treated seed to prevent seed decay and reduce seedborne inoculum.
Postharvest			If possible, crop debris should be destroyed as soon as possible to remove this source of disease for other plantings and to initiate decomposition.
Sanitation			This is not a currently viable management option.
Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A		PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product		(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
azoxystrobin
	Quadris F	6.2-15.4 fl oz		0	4	1.3-3.4	Do not apply more than 2 sequential foliar applications of these products or other strobilurin (Group 11) before alternating with a fungicide that has a different mode of action. Do not spray these products where spray drift may reach apple trees or use same sprayer to apply sprays to apple trees.
	Amistar 80 WDG	2-5 oz		0	4	1.5-4.6
copper compounds
	Champ F or OLF	1 1/3 –

Pest Management Guidelines A Cornell Cooperative Extension Publication	Cornell Guide for Pest Management of Vegetables
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