Effects of Fertigation Treatment Using a Subsurface Drip System on Spring Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Growth and Yield

Abstract

Background: In potato, irrigation and fertilization significantly affect yield. Subsurface drip irrigation and fertigation system are very effective in supplying water and fertilizers directly to crop root zones. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fertigation treatment according to fertilizer concentration and composition on spring potato growth and yield using a subsurface drip system. Methods: Fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potassium were applied at various concentrations and fertilizer compositions during the tuber initiation and filling stages to determine the appropriate fertilizer concentration. And then, the selected EC 1.0 (NK) and K single-use treatments (K 20, K 50, and K 70 kg, ha-1) were used for fertigation treatment with a subsurface drip system. Results: The nutrient uptake by fertilizer concentration results for spring potato cultivation confirmed that nutrient absorption was best at EC 1.0. Accordingly, based on EC 1.0, the nutrient uptake rate by fertilizer composition (EC 1.0; NPK, NK, K) was the best in the NK and K treatments. The application of K 50 (50 kg ha-1) for subsurface fertigation had the highest yield, with an approximately 61% increase over the control treatment and a 19% increase over the irrigation treatment. Conclusion: Fertigation treatment using the surface drip system at the tuber initiation and filling stages will contribute to the stable production and improvement of potato productivity by increasing the efficiency of water and fertilization.