SBARE Sugarbeet Granting Committee
Conference Call Minutes
February 19, 2009
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Beau Bateman. Voting members present were Bateman, Daniel Olson, Allen Tucker, Glen Hultin and Dennis Klosterman. Also present was Lori Capouch.
The committee members discussed the following projects:
Efficacy and timing
of application of fungicides for controlling Rhizoctonia Crown Rot of sugarbeet
Researcher: Mohamed
Khan
Amount requested: $12,675
The objective of this project is to determine the efficacy and time to apply fungicides for controlling Rhizoctonia root and crown rot. Plots will be planted with a sugarbeet variety resistant to Rhizomania and Aphanomyces and susceptible to Rhizoctonia root and crown rot. Labeled and experimental fungicides will be applied at different growth stages and at different soil temperatures to determine the best time for fungicide application. Treatments will be evaluated for disease control and sugarbeet yield and quality.
Sugarbeet soil management
Researcher: Laura Overstreet
Amount
requested: $12,397
The objectives of this research:
1. Evaluate cover crop effects on sugarbeet planted into cover crop residue
a) Determine cover crop species and mixtures that are most compatible with sugarbeet production systems.
b) Identify potential problems or adverse effects caused by introducing cover crop species or mixtures into sugarbeet rotations. Potential issues include competition for moisture and nutrients, nutrient tie-up, shading, difficulty in establishing cover crops, difficulty in controlling or managing cover crops, and allelopathic chemicals exuded by cover crops that may negatively affect sugarbeet seedlings.
c) Evaluate the use of field pea as a N contributor in a cover crop mixture with rye.
2. Test effectiveness of cover crops for wind protection
Evaluation of
sugarbeet varieties for susceptibility to Fusarium Yellows
Researcher: Jerald Bergman
Amount
requested: $3,500
The objective of this project is to identify sugarbeet varieties having resistance to fusarium yellows and demonstration to growers in the Montana Dakota American Crystal sugarbeet factory district.
Enzymatic
pretreatment of sugar beet pulp for ethanol production
Researcher: Scott Pryor
Amount requested:
$18,218
Sugar beet pulp, the residue remaining after pressing the beets for sugar extraction, will be used as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production. Enzymes will be used to separate and concentrate two different sugar streams that will be fermented by yeast and bacteria to increase the concentrations and yields of ethanol.
Discussion of
projects/funding decisions
It was moved by Klosterman and seconded by Olson to grant negotiated funding as follows:
1. $8,450 to the project titled “Efficacy and timing of application of fungicides for controlling Rhizoctonia crown rot of sugar beet”.
2. $5,000 to the project titled “Enzymatic pretreatment of sugar beet pulp for ethanol production”.
3. $3,896 to the project titled “Sugar beet soil management”.
The motion carried.
Other business
For the purpose of nominating a chairperson for the next fiscal year, chair Bateman turn the meeting over to Tucker.
It was moved by Olson and seconded by Hultin to nominate Bateman as chair of this committee for the next fiscal year. The motion carried.
There being no further business, it was moved by Tucker and seconded by Olson to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried.