Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Available Soil Nutrients and NPK Application Impacts on Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Composition of Potatoes Growing during the Main Season in Japan

  • Published:
American Journal of Potato Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Proper management of N, P, and K fertilizers is considered very important to maximize tuber yield and attain desirable processing quality. Generally, farmers apply NPK fertilizer rates based on the preplant soil tests. However, very limited information is available on the influence of available soil nutrients and in-season NPK application rates on yield and quality of tubers. In the present study, paired soil and tuber samples were evaluated from 170 commercial production sites to evaluate potential relationship between soil nutrients, tuber yield, and tuber quality. These paired samples gave us the opportunity to not only study yield response to fertilizer application rates but also study the relationship between soil nutrient availability and tuber nutrient concentrations. We found that about 50%, 80%, and 70% of farmers applied more NPK than recommended rates, respectively. Our results suggest that, in general available soil NPK increases tuber NPK concentrations and tuber N and K concentrations can reduce specific gravity. Interestingly, tuber P concentration had no effect on specific gravity. We also found some variations in these responses to nutrients (NPK) among cultivars suggesting some genetic control for the traits studied. Results also suggest that application of NPK fertilizers in excess of recommended rates on soils that are already rich in these nutrients does not increase tuber yields and may in fact increase potential environmental degradation associated with excessive fertilization and the cost of production.

Resumen

El manejo apropiado de los fertilizantes de N, P y K se considera muy importante para maximizar el rendimiento de tubérculo y obtener una calidad deseable de procesamiento. Generalmente, los agricultores aplican niveles de fertilizantes NPK con base en las pruebas de suelo previas a la siembra. No obstante, se dispone de muy limitada información sobre la influencia de los nutrientes disponibles del suelo y en los niveles de aplicación de NPK durante el ciclo sobre el rendimiento y calidad de los tubérculos. En el presente estudio se evaluaron muestras apareadas de suelo y tubérculo de 170 sitios comerciales de producción para considerar la relación potencial entre los nutrientes del suelo, y el rendimiento y calidad de tubérculo. Estas muestras apareadas nos dieron la oportunidad de no nada más estudiar la respuesta en rendimiento a la aplicación de niveles de fertilizante, sino también de estudiar la relación entre la disponibilidad de nutrientes del suelo y la concentración de nutrientes del tubérculo. Encontramos que cerca de 50%, 80% y 70% de los productores aplicaron mas NPK que los niveles recomendados, respectivamente. Nuestros resultados sugieren que, en general, el NPK disponible en el suelo aumentan las concentraciones de NPK en el tubérculo, y que las concentraciones del N y el K del tubérculo pueden reducir la gravedad específica. Lo interesante es que la concentración del P no tuvo efecto en la gravedad específica. También encontramos algunas variaciones en estas respuestas a los nutrientes (NPK) entre las variedades, lo que sugiere algún control genético para los caracteres estudiados. Los resultados también sugieren que la aplicación de los fertilizantes NPK en exceso de los niveles recomendados en suelos que ya son ricos en estos nutrientes, no aumenta los rendimientos de tubérculo y pudieran, de hecho, incrementar la degradación ambiental potencial asociada con fertilización excesiva y los costos de producción.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdalla, G., M. Guinazu, R. Tizio, D.W. Pearce, and R.P. Pharis. 1995. Effect of chloroethyl trimethyl ammonium chlorides on tuberisation and endogenous GA3 in roots of potato cuttings. Plant Growth Regulation 17: 95–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AbdelGabdir, A.H., M.A. Errebhi, H.M. Al-Sarhan, and M. Ibrahim. 2003. The effects of different additional levels of potassium on yield and industrial qualities of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in an irrigated arid region. American Journal of Potato Research 80: 219–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allison, M.F., J.H. Fowler, and E.J. Allen. 2001a. Factors affecting the magnesium nutrition of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). Journal of Agricultural Sciences 136: 397–409.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allison, M.F., J.H. Fowler, and E.J. Allen. 2001b. Responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to potassium fertilizers. Journal of Agricultural Sciences 136: 407–426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez-Sanchez, E., J.D. Etchevers, J. Ortiz, R. Nunez, V. Volke, L. Tijerina, and A. Martinez. 1999. Biomass production and phosphorus accumulation of potato as affected by phosphorus nutrition. Journal of Plant Nutrition 22: 205–217.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Belanger, G., J.R. Walsh, J.E. Richards, P.H. Milburn, and N. Ziadi. 2002. Nitrogen fertilization and irrigation affects tuber characteristics of two potato cultivars. American Journal of Potato Research 79: 269–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blakemore, L. C., P. L. Seatle, and B. K. Daly. 1987. Methods for chemical analysis of soils, New Zealand soil bureau scientific report 10A, Department of Scientific and industrial research (DSIR), Wellington.

  • Busse, J.S., and J.P. Palta. 2006. Investigating the in vivo calcium transport path to developing potato tuber using 45Ca: A new concept in potato tuber calcium nutrition. Physiologia Plantarum 128: 313–323.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burton, W.G., A. Van Es, and K.J. Hartmans. 1992. The physics and physiology of storage. In The potato crop: The scientific basis for improvement, ed. P.M. Harris, 2nd ed., 608–727. London: Chapman and Hall.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Cultivated Soil Classification Committee. 1995. Classification of cultivated soils in Japan third approximation. Tsukuba: National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curtin, D., C.E. Wright, M.H. Beare, and F.M. McCallum. 2006. Hot water-extractable nitrogen as an indicator of soil nitrogen availability. Soil Science Society of America Journal 70: 1512–1521.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deguchi, T., K. Iwama, and A.J. Haverkort. 2016. Actual and potential yield levels of potato in different production systems of Japan. Potato Research 59: 207–225.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Department of Agriculture, Hokkaido Government. 2015. Hokkaido fertilizer recommendations 2015, Hokkaido Agricultural Policy, Planning Department, Sapporo.

  • Edgar, A.D. 1951. Determining the specific gravity of individual potatoes. American Potato Journal 28: 729–731.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Errebhi, M., C.J. Rosen, S.C. Gupta, and D.E. Birong. 1998. Potato yield response and nitrate leaching as influenced by nitrogen management. Agronomy Journal 90: 10–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO. 2017. FAOSTAT. http://faostat.fao.org. Accessed October, 2018.

  • Fernandes, A.M., and R.P. Soratto. 2016. Response of potato cultivars to phosphate fertilization in tropical soils with different phosphate availabilities. Potato Research 59: 259–278.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fontes, P.C.R., H. Braun, C. Busato, and P.R. Cecon. 2010. Economic optimum nitrogen fertilization rates and nitrogen fertilization rate effects on tuber characterization of potato cultivars. Potato Research 53: 167–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gondwe, R.L., R. Kinoshita, M. Sano, T. Suminoe, D. Aiuchi, H. Koaze, J. Palta, and M. Tani. 2017. Lack of yield response in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to phosphate fertilizer under contrasting soil types varying in phosphate absorption coefficient and available phosphate. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 63: 171–177.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hashimoto, H. 2008. Inventory of the local soil types of arable land in Hokkaido (revised edition), Miscelleneous publication of Hokkaido prefectural agricultural experiment Station, Naganuma. (in Japanese).

  • Hochmuth, G., P. Weingartner, C. Hutchinson, A. Tilton, and D. Jesseman. 2002. Potato yield and tuber quality did not respond to phosphorus fertilization of soils testing high in phosphorus content. HortTechnology 12: 420–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houghland, G.V.C. 1960. The influence of phosphorus on the growth and physiology of the potato plant. American Potato Journal 37: 127–138.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins, B.G., J.W. Ellsworth, T.R. Bowen, A.G. Cook, S.C. Stephens, V.D. Jolley, A.K. Shiffler, and D. Eggett. 2010. Phosphorus fertilizer timing for russet Burbank potato grown in calcareous soil. Journal of Plant Nutrition 33: 529–540.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins, B. G., K. J. Fernelius, and D. L. Eggett (2018) AVAIL phosphorus fertilizer enhancer: metalysis of 503 field evaluations. Agronomy Journal 110: 389–398.

  • Iwama, K. 2008. Physiology of potato: New insights into root system and repercussions for crop management. Potato Research 51: 333–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Japan Metrological Agency. 2017. Monthly data 2005 to 2014. http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/monthly_s3_en.php?block_no=47417&view=13Accessed 1 March 2018.

  • Joern, B.C., and M.L. Vitosh. 1995. Influence of applied nitrogen on potato part I: Yield, quality, and nitrogen uptake. American Potato Journal 72: 51–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang, W., M. Fan, Z. Ma, X. Shi, and H. Zheng. 2014. Luxury absorption of potassium by potato plants. American Journal of Potato Research 91: 573–578.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kjeldahl, J. 1883. A new method for the determination of nitrogen in organic matter. Zeitschrift für Analytische Chemie 22: 366–382.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kleinkof, G.E., D.T. Westermann, M.J. Wille, and G.D. Kleinschmidt. 1987. Specific gravity of russet Burbank. American Journal of Potato Research 64: 579–587.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kratzke, M.G., and J.P. Palta. 1985. Evidence of existence of functional roots on potato tubers and stolons: Significance in water transport to the tuber. American Journal of Potato Research 62: 227–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, P., S.K. Pandey, B.P. Singh, S.V. Singh, and D. Kumar. 2007. Influence of source and time of potassium application on potato growth, yield, economics and crisp quality. Potato Research 50: 1–13.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laboski, C.A.M., and K.A. Kelling. 2007. Influence of fertilizer management and soil fertility on tuber specific gravity: A review. American Journal of Potato Research 84: 283–290.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maltas, A., B. Dupuis, and S. Sinaj. 2018. Yield and quality response of two potato cultivars to nitrogen fertilization. Potato Research 61: 97–114.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. 2016. 2014 Municipality Harvest Amount of Annual Production of Potatoes for 2014 Season (Sakkyo-Chosa-Shicyosonbetsu-Data-Heisei-26-Nendo). http://www.maff.go.jp/j/tokei/kouhyou/sakumotu/sakkyou_yasai/. Accessed 1 July 2019.

  • Mori, K., K. Asano, S. Tamiya, T. Nakao, and M. Mori. 2015. Challenges of breeding potato cultivars to grow in various environments and to meet different demands. Breeding Science 65: 3–16.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mosley, A.R., and R.W. Chase. 1993. Selecting cultivars and obtaining health seed lots. In Potato health management, ed. R.C. Rowe, 19–27. Minnesota: APS Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, J., and J.P. Riley. 1962. A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural water. Analytica Chimica Acta 27: 1–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagy, P. T. 2000. Application of an element analyzer for soil and plant analyses (dry combustion method). Agroke’mia e’s Talajtan 49: 521–534.

  • Nanzyo, M. 1997. Phosphate absorption coefficient. In Methods of Soil Environment Analysis (Dojyo-kanko-Bunsekihou), ed. Editorial Committee for Methods of soil environment analysis (Dojyo-kankyo-Bunsekihou-Henshu-linkai), pp.262–264. Hakuyusha, Tokyo. (in Japanese).

  • Painter, C.G., and J. Augustine. 1976. The effects of soil moisture and nitrogen on yield and quality of the russet Burbank potato. American Journal of Potato Research 65: 119–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palta, J.P. 2010. Improving potato tuber quality and production by targeted calcium nutrition: The discovery of tuber roots leading to a new concept in potato nutrition. Potato Research 53: 267–275.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, C.J., and P.M. Bierman. 2008. Potato yield and tuber set as affected by phosphorus fertilization. American Journal of Potato Research 85: 110–120.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, C., N. Sun, N. Olsen, M. Thornton, M. Pavek, L. Knowles, and N.L. Knowles. 2018. Impact of agronomic and storage practices on acrylamide in processed potatoes. American Journal of Potato Research 95: 319–327.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruark, M.D., K.A. Kelling, and L.W. Good. 2014. Environmental concerns of phosphorus management in potato production. American Journal of Potato Research 91: 132–144.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schollenberger, C.J., and F.R. Dreibelbis. 1930. Analytical methods in base-exchange investigations on soils. Soil Science 30: 161–173.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, G.J., and F. Zelada. 2011. Benchmarking local potato processing in developing countries: The case of French fries in Lima, Peru. Potato Research 54: 29–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, U.C., and B.R. Arora. 1988. Effect of nutrients on starch, proteins, and sugars in potatoes. Food Chemistry 30: 313–317.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, L.K., S.K. Bali, and A.A. Zaeen. 2017. A case study of potential response of increased soil phosphorus levels in the Northeast United States. Agronomy Journal 85: 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soil Survey Staff. 2014. Keys to soil taxonomy. 12th ed. Washington, DC: USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommerfeld, T.G., and K.W. Knutson. 1965. Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth and development of russet Burbank potatoes grown in the southeastern Idaho. American Potato Journal 42: 351–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, N., C.J. Rosen, and A.L. Thompson. 2017. Nitrogen response of French fry and chip cultivars selected for low tuber reducing sugars. American Journal of Potato Research 94: 606–616.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tani, M., C. Mizota, T. Yagi, T. Kato, and M. Koike. 2010. Vertical distribution and accumulation of phosphate in virgin soils and arable soils of Tokachi district, Hokkaido. Japanese Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 81: 350–359 (in Japanese with English summary).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tani, M., C. Mizota, T. Yagi, N. Fueki, H. Tamura, T. Kato, and M. Koike. 2011. Accumulated amount and formation of phosphate in cultivated upland low-humic Andisols through continuous application of inorganic fertilizers and cattle manure for 25 years. Japanese Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 82: 224–227 (in Japanese).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Truog, E. 1930. The determination of the readily available phosphorus of soils. Agronomy 22: 874–882.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • USDA–Foreign Agricultural Service. 2016. Potato and potato products annual. https://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/Potatoes%20and%20Potato%20Products%20Annual_Tokyo_Japan_10-4-2016.pdf. Accessed 1 July 2019.

  • Van der Bom, F., J. Magid, and L.S. Jensen. 2017. Long-term P and K fertilization strategies and balances affect soil availability indices, crop yield depression risk and N use. European Journal of Agronomy 86: 12–23.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vos, J. 1997. The nitrogen response of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in the field: Nitrogen uptake and yield, harvest index and nitrogen concentration. Potato Research 40: 237–240.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vreugdenhil, D., and L.I. Sergeeva. 1999. Gibberellins and tuberisation in potato. Potato Research 42: 471–481.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., A.J. Bussan, and P.C. Bethke. 2012. Stem-end defect in chipping potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) as influenced by mid environmental stresses. American Journal of Potato Research 89: 392–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westermann, D.T., T.A. Tindall, W. James, and R.L. Hurst. 1994. Nitrogen and potassium fertilization: Yield and specific gravity. American Potato Journal 71: 417–431.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Westermann, D.T., and T. A. Tindall. 2000. Potassium diagnostic criteria for potato plants. Idaho, Better crops, volume 84, No 3.

  • Westermann, D.T. 2005. Nutritional requirements of potatoes. American Journal of Potato Research 83: 301–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zelalem, A., T. Tekalign, and D. Nigussie. 2009. Response of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to different rates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on Vertisols at Debre Berhan, in the central highlands of Ethiopia. African Journal of Plant Science 2: 016–024.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The research was supported by Calbee Potato Inc., Japan and the Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine. We would like to thank growers of Tokachi and Kamikawa districts for allowing us to use their fields for our study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Bioproduction Sciences, The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Iwate University, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8550, Japan

    Rodney L. Gondwe

  2. Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan

    Rintaro Kinoshita, Daigo Aiuchi & Masayuki Tani

  3. Potato Advanced Technology Department, Calbee Potato Inc., Memuro, Hokkaido, 080-0006, Japan

    Tsutomu Suminoe

  4. Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Jiwan P. Palta

Authors
  1. Rodney L. Gondwe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rintaro Kinoshita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tsutomu Suminoe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Daigo Aiuchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jiwan P. Palta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Masayuki Tani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masayuki Tani.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gondwe, R.L., Kinoshita, R., Suminoe, T. et al. Available Soil Nutrients and NPK Application Impacts on Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Composition of Potatoes Growing during the Main Season in Japan. Am. J. Potato Res. 97, 234–245 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-020-09776-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-020-09776-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation