Beetroot is a plant which requires a significant amount of water to grow (600mm to 700mm). If there is not enough rainfall to meet requirements, the water deficit can be compensated for with an irrigation system. Slightly alkaline soil is the best suited to growing beetroot, especially loam or slightly clay soil. Sugar beet growing fits in well with a crop rotation policy and a minimum of four years in general needs to be left between each crop.
In non-irrigated growing, beetroot productivity may be seriously affected with a reduction in sugar yield that may exceed 50% in the event of prolonged drought. In surface soil with low reserves, the beetroot must be irrigated.
Moreover, water stress reduces harvest quality and seriously affects sugar extraction.
Irrigation with pivots or small lateral moves is recommended.
