A weather-based yield-forcasting model for sugar beet.

Abstract

A simple model to predict seasonal growth in sugar beet yield is presented. Time from sowing to the so called 'growth point date' (the date on which a plant contains 4 g sugar) is character­ ized by a temperature sum. The increase in sugar yield after this date is calculated from in­ coming solar radiation using an average radiation use efficiency. Temperature sums and radi­ ation use efficiencies were estimated for each of the 11 Dutch sugar beet regions.