Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare the effect of multi-nutrient complex fertilizers (HydroComplex, Nitrophoska Blue Special and Viking 13 from the nitrophoska group, and Polimag S from the amophoska group) and single-nutrient fertilizers on the growth and tuber yield of very early potato cultivars (‘Aster’, ‘Fresco’, ‘Gloria’). The field experiment was carried out on podzolic soil in mid-eastern Poland during 2005–2007. The study showed a greater beneficial effect of HydroComplex and Nitrophoska Blue Special on the growth of very early potato cultivars than that of Viking 13 and Polimag S. The application of HydroComplex and Nitrophoska Blue Special resulted in greater above-ground plant biomass and assimilation leaf area compared with single-nutrient fertilizers; the leaf area index (LAI) was higher by 0.28 and 0.32, respectively. The differences were smaller and not statistically confirmed with the use of Polimag S and Viking 13. When the multi-nutrient complex fertilizers were applied, leaf weight ratio (LWR), leaf area ratio (LAR) and specific leaf area (SLA) were similar to the single-nutrient fertilizers. Of the multi-nutrient complex fertilizers, only Nitrophoska Blue Special resulted in higher tuber yield, on average by 2.40 t × ha<sup>-1</sup>, compared with the single-nutrient fertilizers. The studied cultivars showed a similar response to applied fertilizers. LAI for ‘Gloria’ was higher than for ‘Aster’ and ‘Fresco’, with smaller LAR found in ‘Gloria’. LWR for ‘Fresco’ was smaller than for ‘Aster’ and ‘Gloria’, with higher SLA found in ‘Fresco’. The tuber yield of ‘Aster” (24.04 t × ha<sup>-1</sup>) was higher on average by 3 t × ha<sup>-1</sup> than for ‘Fresco’ and ‘Gloria’.
Highlights
Climate, cultivar and crop management determine the growth and dry matter production of a potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Total biomass production and potato cultivar accumulation depend on the amount of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), which is directly proportional to the plant leaf area index (LAI) [1,2]
Efficient application of the proper type and amount of fertilizer is an important part of achieving profitable potato tuber yield
Summary
Cultivar and crop management determine the growth and dry matter production of a potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.). Total biomass production and potato cultivar accumulation depend on the amount of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), which is directly proportional to the plant leaf area index (LAI) [1,2]. The growth duration and leaf area determine the amount of solar radiation intercepted by the canopy and influences the extent of photosynthesis, evaporation, transpiration and the final tuber yield [3,4]. The duration of active leaf growth mainly determines potato yield and is a major limiting factor with early-maturing cultivars [2,7]. The LAI value depends on the cultivar and phase of plant development, but can be modified by fertilization, irrigation and other factors [3,6,8,9]
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