Effect of Plant Biostimulants on Macronutrient Content in Early Crop Potato Tubers

Tomasz Dziugieł,Wanda Wadas

doi:10.3390/agronomy10081202

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effects of the foliar application of the seaweed extracts Bio-algeen S90 (Ascophyllum nodosum) and Kelpak SL (Ecklonia maxima), as well as the humic and fulvic acids in HumiPlant (leonardite extract) on the macronutrient content in tubers of very early potato cultivars (‘Denar’, ‘Lord’, ‘Miłek’) and their ionic ratios. The field experiment was carried out in central-eastern Poland over three growing seasons, using Haplic Luvisol. The biostimulants were applied according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. Potatoes were harvested 75 days after planting. The use of biostimulants increased potassium (K) content in tubers, on average, by 1.26 g∙kg−1 of dry matter compared with the untreated control tubers. Bio-algeen S90 did not affect the phosphorus (P) content in tubers, whereas Kelpak SL and HumiPlant reduced the phosphorus content, on average, by 0.063 g∙kg−1 of dry matter. The biostimulants did not affect calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), or sodium (Na) content in tubers. The use of biostimulants resulted in an increase in the mass ratios of K+:Ca2+, K+:Mg2+, and (K+ + Na+):(Ca2+ + Mg2+) in early crop potato tubers, compared with the untreated control tubers, but did not affect the mass ratios of Na+:Ca2+ and Na+:Mg2+ or the mass ratio of Ca:P. The macronutrient content in early crop potato tubers and their ionic ratios depended on the cultivar and environment conditions.

Highlights

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers contain 1.0–1.2% of mineral compounds
The use of biostimulants resulted in an increase in the mass ratios of K+ :Ca2+, K+ :Mg2+, and (K+ + Na+ ):(Ca2+ + Mg2+ ) in early crop potato tubers, compared with the untreated control tubers, but did not affect the mass ratios of Na+ :Ca2+ and Na+ :Mg2+ or the mass ratio of Ca:P
The macronutrient content in early crop potato tubers and their ionic ratios depended on the cultivar and environment conditions

Summary

Introduction

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers contain 1.0–1.2% of mineral compounds. Potassium (K) is the basic mineral in potato (150–1386 mg·100 g−1 of fresh weight FW). Phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) are present in potato tubers in moderate quantities (42–120 mg·100 g−1 FW and 16–40 mg·100 g−1 FW, respectively), while calcium (Ca) is present in small quantities (2–20 mg·100 g−1 FW). The bioavailability of mineral elements from potatoes is potentially high due to high concentrations in potato tubers of organic compounds that stimulate the absorption of minerals by humans. Potatoes are a source of substantial quantities of minerals in the human diet, due to their large consumption (150–800 g per day). The chemical composition of potato tubers is affected by different pre-harvest and post-harvest factors [1,3]

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Discussion

Conclusion