Potassium Fertigation Strategies in Potato Cultivation

• Published in: Potato research Vol. 66; no. 3; pp. 581 - 595
• Main Authors: da Silva, Gustavo Henrique, da Cunha, Fernando França, Mattiello, Edson Marcio, de Freitas, Elis Marina, Vieira, Joslanny Higino, de Araujo, Fernanda Ferreira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.09.2023; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agriculture; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Fertigation; Fertilization; Fertilizer application; Irrigation; Life Sciences; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant growth; Plant Sciences; Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Planting; Potassium; Potatoes; Splitting; Sustainable production; Tubers; Vegetable industry; Vegetables; Irrigation; Fertilisation; Potassium fertiliser; Top-dressing
• ISSN: 0014-3065; 1871-4528
• DOI: 10.1007/s11540-022-09590-9

Potassium (K) is the nutrient required in the largest quantity in potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum ). Splitting of K fertilisation allows dividing the dose of K according to the rate of absorption of the potato using fertigation techniques. Drip fertigation holds great promise for the more sustainable production of potato tubers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of splitting forms of K fertilisation between planting and top-dressing and of fertigation frequencies of top-dressing fertilisation on plant growth, yield and quality of potato tubers. For this, four forms of K splitting and three frequencies of fertigation were studied in potatoes during the years 2019 and 2021. The forms of K splitting were 100% K in fertigation (K 0–100 ), 15% at planting and 85% in fertigation (K 15–85 ), 30% in basal fertilisation and 70% in fertigation (K 30–70 ) and 45% in basal fertilisation and 55% in fertigation (K 45–55 ). The fertigation frequencies were 3 (FF3), 6 (FF6) and 9 (FF9) days. All treatments received the same amount of K (220 kg ha −1 ). Variables related to plant growth, yield and tuber quality were measured. The interaction between the forms of K splitting and the frequencies of fertigation was not significant for the variables measured. The absence of K fertilisation at planting (K 0–100 ) impaired plant growth and tuber yield in one season. The FF6 fertigation frequency improved the growth and average tuber mass in one season. The treatments did not significantly impact the quality of potato tubers at any time. The treatments led to many similar results under the experimental conditions of this study. A fertilisation programme with some K applied at planting and frequent fertigation, such as the K 30–70 treatment and the FF3 frequency, makes logical sense based on this work and previous research. Additional research under a range of experimental conditions may help to further refine the K-fertigation recommendations for potatoes.