[
  {
    "factor_id": "sugar-beet-n-rate",
    "crop_id": "sugar-beet",
    "factor": "Nitrogen application rate and recoverable sugar balance",
    "factor_category": "Nutrients",
    "direction": "positive",
    "effect_type": "yield_gain",
    "effect_size": 22.0,
    "effect_unit": "%",
    "ci_lower": 15.0,
    "ci_upper": 29.0,
    "conditions": "Targeting 100-140 kg N/ha on irrigated soils in Southern Alberta; excessive N reduces sucrose percentage and raises amino-N impurities.",
    "study_count": 26,
    "evidence_type": "field_trial",
    "evidence_strength": "High",
    "prairie_relevance": "high",
    "source_title": "Nitrogen management for maximizing root yield and recoverable sugar in irrigated sugar beet in Alberta",
    "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps2011-067",
    "notes": "Critical balance between root tonnage and sucrose concentration (>17-19% sugar content).",
    "potential_yield_effect": 22.0
  },
  {
    "factor_id": "sugar-beet-biostimulant-glycine-betaine",
    "crop_id": "sugar-beet",
    "factor": "Biostimulants: Glycine betaine & potassium silicate foliar",
    "factor_category": "Biostimulants",
    "direction": "positive",
    "effect_type": "yield_gain",
    "effect_size": 9.5,
    "effect_unit": "%",
    "ci_lower": 5.0,
    "ci_upper": 14.0,
    "conditions": "Foliar application at 8-12 leaf stage prior to peak mid-summer heat and osmotic stress under irrigation.",
    "study_count": 15,
    "evidence_type": "field_trial",
    "evidence_strength": "Moderate",
    "prairie_relevance": "moderate",
    "source_title": "Exogenous glycine betaine enhances osmoprotection, photosynthetic stability and sugar yield in Beta vulgaris",
    "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.112614",
    "notes": "Maintains cellular turgor, rubisco enzyme activity, and sucrose transport to taproots during heat spells.",
    "potential_yield_effect": 9.5
  },
  {
    "factor_id": "sugar-beet-irrigation-scheduling",
    "crop_id": "sugar-beet",
    "factor": "Precision irrigation scheduling (maintaining >60% ASW)",
    "factor_category": "Irrigation",
    "direction": "positive",
    "effect_type": "yield_gain",
    "effect_size": 28.0,
    "effect_unit": "%",
    "ci_lower": 20.0,
    "ci_upper": 36.0,
    "conditions": "Soil-moisture probe guided pivot/drip irrigation maintaining available soil water (ASW) above 60% from canopy closure to ripening.",
    "study_count": 24,
    "evidence_type": "field_trial",
    "evidence_strength": "High",
    "prairie_relevance": "high",
    "source_title": "Irrigation scheduling and deficit management in sugar beet production in the Bow River and St. Mary River Irrigation Districts",
    "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps2013-098",
    "notes": "Prevents taproot cracking and maintains active sucrose synthesis; controlled dry-down 2-3 weeks pre-harvest elevates extractable sugar.",
    "potential_yield_effect": 28.0
  },
  {
    "factor_id": "sugar-beet-cercospora",
    "crop_id": "sugar-beet",
    "factor": "Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) fungicide program",
    "factor_category": "Disease management",
    "direction": "positive",
    "effect_type": "yield_gain",
    "effect_size": 24.5,
    "effect_unit": "%",
    "ci_lower": 17.0,
    "ci_upper": 32.0,
    "conditions": "Rotational application of multi-site and systemic fungicides based on Daily Infection Values (DIV >6) under warm, humid canopy microclimates.",
    "study_count": 31,
    "evidence_type": "field_trial",
    "evidence_strength": "High",
    "prairie_relevance": "high",
    "source_title": "Fungicide efficacy and resistance management for Cercospora beticola in northern sugar beet production",
    "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-19-1704-RE",
    "notes": "Untreated Cercospora causes severe defoliation, forcing new crown leaf flush that depletes stored root sucrose.",
    "potential_yield_effect": 24.5
  },
  {
    "factor_id": "sugar-beet-rhizoctonia",
    "crop_id": "sugar-beet",
    "factor": "Rhizoctonia crown and root rot management",
    "factor_category": "Disease management",
    "direction": "negative",
    "effect_type": "yield_loss",
    "effect_size": -38.0,
    "effect_unit": "%",
    "ci_lower": -52.0,
    "ci_upper": -24.0,
    "conditions": "Soilborne Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2 infection in warm (>25°C), poorly drained or over-irrigated soils.",
    "study_count": 22,
    "evidence_type": "field_trial",
    "evidence_strength": "High",
    "prairie_relevance": "high",
    "source_title": "Epidemiology and chemical/genetic management of Rhizoctonia crown and root rot in sugar beet",
    "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2017.06.014",
    "notes": "Causes circular patches of wilting, black rot of the crown, and completely unmarketable roots.",
    "potential_yield_effect": -38.0
  },
  {
    "factor_id": "sugar-beet-non-gmo-organic-contracts",
    "crop_id": "sugar-beet",
    "factor": "Certification & Profitability: Identity Preserved Non-GMO & Organic sugar contract premium",
    "factor_category": "Economics & Certification",
    "direction": "positive",
    "effect_type": "price_premium",
    "effect_size": 45.0,
    "effect_unit": "% premium",
    "ci_lower": 30.0,
    "ci_upper": 65.0,
    "conditions": "Non-GMO Project Verified and certified organic sugar beet grower contracts command $95.00–$125.00/tonne compared to $65.00–$80.00/tonne conventional baseline (+30% to +65% premium) with processors (e.g. Lantic/Rogers Sugar).",
    "study_count": 10,
    "evidence_type": "economic_benchmark",
    "evidence_strength": "High",
    "prairie_relevance": "high",
    "source_title": "Alberta Sugar Beet Growers (ASBG) & Processor Cost of Production Benchmarks",
    "source_url": "https://asbg.ca/",
    "notes": "Requires mechanical cultivation and hand weeding to manage weeds without glyphosate. Yield discounts average 15-25%, yielding +20% to +45% higher net farm profit under long-term processor contracts.",
    "potential_yield_effect": -20.0
  }
]