Experiments in the cultivation of the sugar beet crop in the West Midlands during 1928: A statistical examination of the effect of spacing

Abstract

The conclusions of the 1927 experiments in spacing have been tested in greater detail in 1928 and are confirmed.From the 64-plot scheme containing a series of spacings in quadruplicate the following points emerged:(1) Variation of the width between the rows influenced the yields of sugar beet roots, the expectation of highest yield being on the narrowest spacings. There was a significant increase in yield to be gained by using 15” or 18” spacing instead of 21” or 24”. On the other hand width between the rows did not seem to influence the yield of tops and crowns.(2) Variation of the distance between plants in the rows up to 10” had no significant effect on the yield of roots. There was some evidence that above that figure a reduction in yield took place. It is interesting to note that in the case of the tops, spacing between the plants influenced the tonnage. There was a significant difference between the yields on the 4″ and 8″, and 4″ and 10″, but not between the 4″ and 6″, 6″ and 8″ or 8″ and 10″ spacings.