Abstract
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) has a large phosphorus (P)-fertiliser requirement. This is thought to be due to its inability to acquire P effectively from the soil. This work tested the hypothesis that early proliferation of its root system would enhance P acquisition, accelerate canopy development, and enable greater yields. Six years of field experiments characterised the relationships between (1) leaf P concentration ([P]leaf), tuber yield, and tuber P concentration ([P]tuber) among 27 Tuberosum, 35 Phureja and 4 Diploid Hybrid genotypes and (2) juvenile root vigour, P acquisition and tuber yield among eight Tuberosum genotypes selected for contrasting responses to P-fertiliser. Substantial genetic variation was observed in tuber yield, [P]leaf and [P]tuber. There was a strong positive relationship between tuber yields and P acquisition among genotypes, whether grown with or without P-fertiliser. Juvenile root vigour was correlated with accelerated canopy development and both greater P acquisition and tuber biomass accumulation early in the season. However, the latter relationships became weaker during the season. Increased juvenile root vigour accelerated P acquisition and initial canopy cover and, thereby, increased tuber yields. Juvenile root vigour is a heritable trait and can be selected to improve P-fertiliser use efficiency of potato.
Highlights
IntroductionA disproportionately large amount of phosphorus (P)-fertiliser is applied to potatoes (Solanum tuberosumL.) compared to other field crops (Fixen and Bruulsema 2014; Hopkins et al 2014; Ruark et al 2014; White et al 2005b, 2007)
Genetic variation was observed in tuber yield, P-concentration in diagnostic leaves ([P]leaf) and P
The product of yield and [P]leaf, which can be used as a proxy for PUpE assuming similar partitioning of biomass and P among genotypes (White et al 2005a), averaged across two years for genotypes present in all trials, was significantly greater for Tuberosum genotypes than Phureja genotypes, because of their higher yields and lower [P] leaf (Table 1)
Summary
A disproportionately large amount of phosphorus (P)-fertiliser is applied to potatoes (Solanum tuberosumL.) compared to other field crops (Fixen and Bruulsema 2014; Hopkins et al 2014; Ruark et al 2014; White et al 2005b, 2007). Genetic variation in yield loss upon reduction of P-fertiliser input was observed (Table 2), which is consistent with studies suggesting that potato genotypes can differ in their yield response to P availability (Daoui et al 2014; Fernandes and Soratto 2016a; Freeman et al 1998; Hailu et al 2017; Jenkins and Ali 1999; Manorama et al 2017; Nyiraneza et al 2017; Sandaña 2016; Sandaña and Kalazich 2015; Soratto and Fernandes 2016; Soratto et al 2015; Thornton et al 2014; Trehan and Singh 2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
