Until as recently as a century ago, the exposure of biological systems to radiation was limited only to the natural sources. Today, however, a broad range of radiation types and doses have found a wide variety of uses and applications, so much so that it would be difficult to make a list of all the areas of human activity in which radiation is used for one purpose or another. The study of radiation effects on individuals and populations as a whole has become important only with the development of methods and sources of man-made radiation.

Researches, which have lasted for two years, were carried out on long-term trial field at Rimski Šančevi, Novi Sad, Serbia. In this trial, the eight fertilization variants of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O increased amounts were studied. Sugar beet root and tops yields were determined, as well as the elements of technological sugar beet root quality. Based on these results, percentage of sugar utilization and refined sugar yield was defined.