The percentage of genetically modified crops grown in Michigan is on
the rise, and sugar beets are no exception. Michigan growers will begin
planting Roundup Ready sugar beets, which can be sprayed with a
non-selective herbicide without injury, in 2008.
Christy Sprague, crop and soil sciences professor at Michigan State
University (MSU), is researching growing sugar beets in narrow rows as a way
to manage weeds and increase yield.

Her findings will provide growers of Roundup Ready sugar beets with
recommendations for timing of herbicide applications, effective weed control
and maximum yield.

Weed control in sugar beets is critical, Sprague pointed out. In MSU
trials, lack of weed control reduced sugar beet yields by 30 to 100 percent.

?The use of herbicide in combination with the Roundup Ready crops will
provide good control over weeds,? Sprague said. ?We want to come up with
effective weed management options that all sugar beet growers can use.?

Sprague?s research goal is to reduce the number of weeds that grow in
sugar beet fields by growing the beets in narrower rows, which will make
them more competitive with weeds.

The narrower rows will allow the leaves of sugar beets to be closer
together, preventing sunlight from reaching the ground and reducing weed
germination, Sprague explained.

Along with better weed management, Sprague?s research aims at
increasing yield by growing more sugar beets per acre while maintaining crop
quality.

She will also study the effects on sugar beet yield and quality from
planting at various rates.

?We want to see if adding a few more plants can maximize yield in the
field,? Sprague said. ?We also want to make sure that we would be producing
more sugar in the beets. Even if the beets are heavy, their sugar content
may still be low.?

Currently, most Michigan growers plant their sugar beets in 30-inch
rows to allow space for cultivation between the rows throughout the season.

Roundup Ready sugar beets will need less cultivation, so narrower row
spacings may be possible. Sprague is studying the differences between row
widths of 30, 20 and 15 inches.

Growers will be able to learn more about Sprague?s research findings
and how they can implement the resulting recommendations in the 2008 crop at
Extension grower meetings this winter.

Sprague also plans to incorporate the information into future MSU weed
control guides.

In 2005, Michigan growers produced nearly $111.2 million worth of
sugar beets on 154,000 acres.

Michigan is one of the top sugar beet producing states in the United
States, which is the third largest sugar beet producing nation in the world,
behind Russia and France.

Weed control research studies in sugar beets began in 2002 with
Project GREEEN-funded research that reduced the number of applications of
herbicides by measuring the growing degree-days to the timing of the
applications.

The research improved weed control by using fewer applications, but
the results were not consistent from year to year.

?We decided the next step was to use the new technology available and
explore new options to help reduce weeds,? Sprague said.

Founded in 1997, Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to
meet Economic and Environmental Needs) is the state?s plant agriculture
initiative at Michigan State University.

It is a cooperative effort between plant-based commodities and
businesses together with the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MSU
Extension and the Michigan Department of Agriculture to advance Michigan?s
economy through its plant-based agriculture.

Its mission is to develop research and educational programs in
response to industry needs, ensure and improve food safety, and protect and
preserve the quality of the environment.

To learn more about Michigan?s plant agriculture initiative at MSU,
visit www.greeen.msu.edu