The Cost of Soil Lost Caused by Sugar Beet Harvest: A case study for Turkey

Studies related with soil loss due to crop harvesting have been recently included in soil erosion investigations. Harvest of root crops like sugar beet causes significant soil loss. This study was conducted to determine soil loss and to estimate the economic value of related losses of plant nutrients during 2005. Soil losses were compiled from the reports of the General Directorate of the Turkish Sugar Industry. According to these reports, 47 866 t soil per year was transported from sugar beet fields in Ankara province, for which economic value of plant nutrients was estimated to be US$ 204 158. The estimated values for Turkey are approximately 951 000 t and 4 056 203 US$ for soil loss and the economic value of lost N, P, and K.