Potato Tuber Yield, Mineral Concentration, and Quality after Calcium Fertilization

Abstract

In a 3-year study on a fine sandy loam soil, `Atlantic' (1989), `Frontier' (1990-91), and `Russet Burbank' (1989-91) potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) response to rate and time of Ca fertilization was evaluated. Calcium was applied preplant at 0, 90, 180, and 270 kg·ha-1 as CaSO4 and side-dressed at 0, 34, and 68 kg·ha-1 as Ca(NO3)2, with treatments combined in a complete factorial. Preplant Ca fertilization increased soil Ca concentration each year. Calcium fertilization did not affect tuber yield or grade distribution. Tuber concentrations of P, K, and Ca in `Russet Burbank', Ca in `Frontier', and S in all cultivars increased with increasing preplant Ca rate. `Russet Burbank' tuber P, K, Ca, and Cu concentrations and `Frontier' tuber S concentration increased as side-dressed Ca rate increased. Tuber concentrations of most nutrients decreased between midseason and harvest. The incidence of internal brown spot (IBS) was very low in `Atlantic' and `Russet Burbank' tubers and was reduced in `Atlantic' by preplant Ca application. In 1990, IBS severity and incidence in `Frontier' were reduced by preplant and side-dressed Ca fertilization. In 1991, after 4 months of storage at 7C, severity and percentage of tubers with IBS were reduced by preplant and side-dressed Ca fertilization. During storage, IBS decreased in `Russet Burbank'. Brown center in `Russet Burbank' decreased as side-dressed Ca rate increased. In 1990, `Russet Burbank' french-fry color improved as preplant Ca rate increased.