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Nitrogen Management Can Increase Potato Yields and Food Security for Climate Change Adaptation in the Andean Region

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Abstract

The Andean region of Ecuador is being impacted by climate change, and improved best management practices for agriculture are needed to increase yields and food security. We conducted a study comparing different nitrogen (N) rates to determine the optimum N application rate for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) systems in this region. We examined five application rates of N: 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 kg N ha− 1. The results suggest that an N application rate of 300 kg N ha− 1 increased productivity and net income by 87% and 146%, respectively, compared to no application of N. We transferred these improved practices to farmers, and all farms increased their yields and net economic returns. The average yields and net economic returns for these farmers increased by 50% and 64%, respectively. Additional N use efficiency (NUE) studies are needed to continue increasing yields and economic returns for farmers in the Andean region.

Resumen

La región andina de Ecuador está siendo impactada por el cambio climático, y se necesitan mejores prácticas de manejo para la agricultura para aumentar los rendimientos y la seguridad alimentaria. Realizamos un estudio que comparó diferentes tasas de nitrógeno (N) para determinar la tasa óptima de aplicación de N para los sistemas de papa (Solanum tuberosum L.) en esta región. Se examinaron cinco dosis de aplicación de N: 0, 100, 200, 300 y 400 kg N ha− 1. Los resultados sugieren que una tasa de aplicación de N de 300 kg N ha− 1 aumentó la productividad y el ingreso neto en un 87% y 146%, respectivamente, en comparación con ninguna aplicación de N. Transferimos estas prácticas mejoradas a los agricultores, y todas las siembras aumentaron sus rendimientos y ganancias económicas netas. Los rendimientos medios y los rendimientos económicos netos para estos agricultores aumentaron en un 50% y 64%, respectivamente. Se necesitan estudios adicionales de eficiencia en el uso de N (NUE) para continuar aumentando los rendimientos y ganancias económicas para los agricultores de la región andina.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Agricultural Research Service, 2150 Centre Ave. Bldg. D Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA

    Jorge A. Delgado, Donna Neer & Robert D’Adamo

  2. Estación Experimental Santa Catalina, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Panamericana Sur km. 1, Quito, Ecuador

    Víctor H. Barrera, Yamil E. Cartagena, Luis O. Escudero & Angélica C. Zapata

  3. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    Jeffrey R. Alwang

Authors
  1. Jorge A. Delgado
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  2. Víctor H. Barrera
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  3. Jeffrey R. Alwang
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  4. Yamil E. Cartagena
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  5. Luis O. Escudero
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  6. Donna Neer
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  7. Robert D’Adamo
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  8. Angélica C. Zapata
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Correspondence to Jorge A. Delgado.

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Delgado, J.A., Barrera, V.H., Alwang, J.R. et al. Nitrogen Management Can Increase Potato Yields and Food Security for Climate Change Adaptation in the Andean Region. Am. J. Potato Res. 100, 221–232 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-023-09912-8

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