ISHS Acta Horticulturae 619: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Potatoes, Healthy Food for Humanity: International Developments in Breeding, Production, Protection and Utilization
USE OF A NONIONIC SURFACTANT TO IMPROVE NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY OF POTATO |
| Authors: | K.A. Kelling, P.E. Speth, F.J. Arriaga, B. Lowery |
| Keywords: | Nonuniform infiltration, Solanum tuberosum, nitrate leaching, hydrophobic soils, nonwetting soil |
| Abstract:
Overhead sprinkler irrigation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown on sandy soils has sometimes resulted in nonuniform wetting of potato hills and the creation of a dry zone within the potato hills. This study conducted in 2000 and 2001 evaluated the use of a nonionic surfactant, sprayed in the seed piece furrow at planting, to improve nitrogen use efficiency of Russet Burbank potato. The experimental design was a two variable complete factorial, in randomized complete blocks with four replications, with surfactant (+ or – at 9.3 L/ha) as the first variable and N rate (0, 134, 202, or 269 kg N/ha) as the second. In addition to measuring tuber yield and grade, crop N status was monitored by petiole nitrate-N levels several times during the growing season as was tuber N uptake and soil water NO3-N concentrations below the root zone. Yield results showed a tendency for a significant interaction between surfactant use and N rate with optimum N rate about 60 kg/ha lower where the surfactant was used in 2000, but in 2001 this trend was not apparent. In both years, a clear trend (p=0.07 to 0.16) existed toward an increase in yield of US#1, 170 to 370 g tubers with surfactant use. Tuber N uptake was significantly increased by surfactant in 2001. Plant and soil N parameters also showed some responses to the surfactant applications. These preliminary data show that some improvements in N use efficiency may be realized by using a surfactant to keep a greater proportion of the hill moist and contributing to N uptake. | |
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