Valorizing Chicken Manure Incineration Ash as a Basal Fertilizer for Sugar Beet

Abstract There is a growing need for sustainable agricultural practices that enhance crop yields. This study aims to investigate the potential of chicken manure ash as a basal fertilizer in sugar beet farming. The treatments; control, conventional fertilizer (CF; 12:30:12; 60 kg N ha −1 , 150 kg P₂O₅ ha −1 , and 60 kg K₂O ha −1 ), and chicken manure ash fertilizer (CMAF; 6:16:6; 60 kg N ha⁻ 1 , 160 kg P₂O₅ ha −1 , and 60 kg K₂O ha −1 ) with 25% and 50% reduced doses. The highest leaf N and P concentrations were achieved with the 50% reduced CMAF treatment, surpassing both the control and CF applications. Potassium and Mg concentrations were unaffected by the treatments, while Ca levels were lowest in the 50% reduced CMAF group. Micronutrient analysis revealed that Zn concentration increased significantly under CMAF applications, particularly with the 50% reduced dose. Conversely, Mn levels decreased with CMAF, with the lowest values observed in the 50% reduced treatment. All fertilizer treatments significantly enhanced root yield compared to the control. Refined sugar content was unaffected, and the 25% reduced CMAF dose provided the highest refined sugar yield (8932 kg ha −1 ) compared to the control (7354 kg ha −1 ), CF treatment (7824 kg ha −1 ), and full dose CMAF (7824 kg ha −1 ). Root K, Na, α-amino N, and dry matter contents were not influenced by fertilization. These findings highlight the potential of reduced CMAF doses as a cost-effective alternative to CF for sugar beet cultivation, particularly for enhancing N, P, and Zn uptake without compromising yield or sugar quality.