Role of Nitrogen on Potato Production: A Review

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae family and the world’s most important and widely grown tuber crop ranking fourth after rice, wheat and maize. In terms of human consumption, it ranks third after rice and wheat. It could be one of the most important crops to be introduced in the area where the population experiences recurrent malnutrition due to heavy dependence on cereal crops and poor crop productivity for the reason that its ability to provide a high yield of high-quality product per unit input with a shorter crop cycle as compared to the major cereal crops. To increase potato production Nitrogen (N) among others is the mineral nutrient most commonly deficient in agricultural soils. The optimal response to N fertilizer application differs by cultivar and soil type; hence it needs critical consideration for different cultivars at specific location. Fertilizer requirement varies across locations due to numerous reasons such as difference in soil types, nutrient availability of the soil, economic factors of the area, moisture supply and variety. Ensuring the optimum husbandry including nutrient management is very important because soil-plant system inefficiencies prevent complete utilization of the N, leaving residual N in the soil, which is a waste of natural resources and cause for environmental concern. This needs due attention since the crop demands high level of soil nutrients due to relative poorly developed and shallow root system in relation to yield. Generally, concerning nutrient, optimum yield can be obtained by improving nutrient management (provided that other issues e.g. improved variety are fulfilled) since tuber yield and tuber quality are directly impacted by quantity and timing of nutrient applications. Split application (each on a vital time) of N is important in order to avoid loses through leaching, volatilization, denitrification, utilization by weeds, erosion by running-off water and sedimentation.