Crops grown for their yield of roots

This has been bred from selections from sugar beet and mangels. At one time it was quite popular as a feed for pigs. Fodder beet should not be grown on heavy and/or poorly drained soils, nor on stony soils. There could well be establishment and harvesting problems in these conditions. 

Many aspects of the growing of fodder beet are similar to those of sugar beet, but there are some important differences and the chief points to remember are described below. 

Seed is usually sold in acre packs of about 50000 seeds (125000 seeds or 2.5 packs/ha). Graded (3.50-4.75 mm) pelleted seed is used, which should be precision drilled if possible. 

Early to mid-April is best sowing earlier will cause bolting (some varieties are more susceptible). Later sowing will reduce yields. 

Agricultural salt is recommended for all soils except fen silts and peats. About 400 kg/ha of salt (200 kg/ha Na O) should be worked into the seedbed well before drilling. If salt is not applied potash should be increased by 100kg/ha. Where FYM and slurry have been used, the above recommendations should be reduced to take account of the available nutrients so supplied. These recommendations have been based on Defra RB209 (8th edition) issued in June 2010. 

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