Nitrogen fertilization and irrigation affects tuber characteristics of two potato cultivars

• Published in: American journal of potato research Vol. 79; no. 4; pp. 269 - 279
• Main Authors: BELANGER, G, WALSH, J. R, RICHARDS, J. E, MILBURN, P. H, ZIADI, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.07.2002; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; Cultivars; Density; Fertilization; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Cropping systems and patterns; Irrigation; Nitrogen; Potatoes; Specific gravity; Supplemental irrigation; Tubers; Weight; Canada; North America; America; Plant production; Nitrogen fertilization; Irrigation; Solanum tuberosum; Interaction; Experimental study; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Tuber; Specific weight; Spermatophyta; Chemical concentration; Tuber plant; Solanaceae; Yield component; Cultivar
• ISSN: 1099-209X; 1874-9380
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02986360

Nitrogen fertilization, irrigation, and cultivars affect tuber characteristics such as tuber size, specific gravity, and N concentration. Few studies, however, have investigated the interaction of irrigation and N fertilization on the tuber characteristics of potato cultivars, particularly in Atlantic Canada. The objective of this on-farm study, conducted at four sites in each of three years, 1995 to 1997, was to determine the effects of supplemental irrigation and six rates of N fertilization (0-250 kg N ha-1) on the number of tubers per plant, the average fresh tuber weight, tuber N concentration, nitrate (NO3-N) concentration, and specific gravity of the cultivars Shepody and Russet Burbank. Nitrogen fertilization increased the average fresh tuber weight, tuber N and N03-N concentrations, and decreased specific gravity. Effects of increasing N fertilization on tuber characteristics were often more pronounced for Shepody than for Russet Burbank, and for irrigated than for non-irrigated conditions. Shepody had greater average fresh tuber weight and tuber N concentration, lower specific gravity, and fewer tubers per plant than Russet Burbank. Supplemental irrigation increased the average fresh tuber weight and the number of tubers per plant, but it had a limited effect on specific gravity and tuber N and NO3-N concentrations. Tuber NO3-N con centration and specific gravity were strongly related to tuber N concentration, which in turn depended primarily on N fertilization. Incidents of lowest specific gravity and highest NO3-N concentration occurred with a relative yield close to or equal to 1.0. We conclude that the risks of low specific gravity and high tuber NO3-N concentration are greater when fertilization exceeds the N requirements to reach maximum tuber yield.