Response of Potato Productivity and Storability to some Potassium Levels and Foliar Spray with some Macro and Microelements

Abstract

Two field trials were conducted on potato plants cv. Spunta, in vegetable private farm at Al-Enaniya village, Sinbelawin district, Dakahlia Governoraten, during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons to study the effect of soil application of potassium levels (96, 72 and 48 kg K2O/fed), either single and/or in combination with foliar spray of macro and micronutrients compound (N=25%, P=16%, K=12%, Zn=0.5%, Fe=0.5%, Mn=0.5%, Cu=0.3%) at different levels i.e., 6, 4 and 2 g/L on plant growth, yield and its components, as well as chemical constituents and storability of tubers. In general, results showed that potato plants fertilized with potassium sulfate at the level of 96 kg K2O/fed significantly increased plant stem length, number of leaves, leaf area and foliage plant fresh and dry weights as well as total yield, number of tubers/plant and tuber weight/plant, Moreover, this level of potassium significantly increased TSS, dry matter, specific gravity, Ascorbic acid (mg/g FW) and concentrations of macro and micronutrients (N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu). Also, potassium fertilization at of 96 kg K2O/fed had the most interesting observation which enhancing storability during storage period. Foliar spray with macro and micro nutrients at a rate of 6 g/L resulted in an increases in the most vegetative growth parameters, yield and tubers quality traits. However, weight loss percentage of tubers was significantly reduced during storage period.The combined treatments of potassium levels and foliar spray with some macro and micronutrients were generally more effective on the most studied parameters than single ones. The best results were obtained by application 96 kg K2O/fed with foliar spray of macro and micronutrients at the rate of 6 g/L. This treatment achieved increases in vegetative growth characters, total tubers yield (ton/fed), ascorbic acid (mg/g FW), TSS% of tuber, concentrations of N, P, K, micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) in tubers and enhanced the tubers storability comparing with the other ones. Therefore, this treatment could be recommended for raising potato yield and improving tuber quality during storage period under similar conditions to this work.