Comparison of conventional and glyphosate-resistant sugarbeet the year of commercial introduction in Wyoming.

Abstract

In 2007, approximately 800 ha of glyphosate-resistant sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) were planted in Wyoming, representing the largest commercial production of a biotechnology-derived sugar crop at the time. A study was conducted in 2007 to compare the farm-scale economic differences between glyphosate-resistant and conventional (non-glyphosate-resistant) sugarbeet. Twenty-two sugarbeet fields (11 each planted to glyphosate-resistant and conventional cultivars) were selected early in the growing season and all field operations and sugarbeet yields were recorded. Tillage operations and herbicide costs were reduced in the glyphosate-resistant sugarbeet system compared with the conventional sugarbeet system. Sucrose production was over 1,400 kg per ha greater in glyphosateresistant sugarbeet compared with conventional sugarbeet. The glyphosate-resistant sugarbeet system improved net economic return by $576/ha compared with the conventional sugarbeet system. Additional