Abstract
Potassium fertilizer needs of potatoes were evaluated with a set of research plots established on coarse textured soils in southeastern Idaho. Over the seven-year period that these trials were conducted, tuber yields indicated no response to potassium fertilization. Specific gravity of tubers decreased with increasing rates of potassium fertilization, with greatest reduction in specific gravity resulting from the use of potassium chloride. Plots were established on land brought under cultivation for the first time in 1968. Under a potato-grain rotation, the plot area was planted to potatoes every other year beginning in 1968. At the conclusion of the trials in 1976, the check plots had not received any potassium fertilizer. Potassium fertilizer was applied to designated plots only in 1970 and 1974. Each plot received the same treatment in both of the years with rates of 150, 300, and 600 lb K2O/A (168, 335 and 670 kg/ha) using two different forms of fertilizer (KCl and K2SO4). Petiole samples were analyzed for levels of K. Soil K levels were determined annually from samples taken prior to planting the potato crop. Petiole K levels decreased as the season advanced. A petiole level of 6.5 to 7.5% K (45 to 75 days after planting) was sufficiently high for maximum yields. Soil test levels (sodium bicarbonate extraction) of 140 ppm K were sufficiently high for production of a 350 cwt/A (40 T/ha) yield.
Resumen
Las necesidades de abono potasico en papas fueron evaluadas en un conjunto de parcelas establecidas en suelos de textura en el sudeste de Idaho. Estos ensayos fueron conducidos durante siete años y durante ese período no hubo respuesta de rendimiento al abono potasico. La gravedad específica de los tubérculos decreció con dosis crescientes de potasio, resultando la mayor reducción con el uso de cloruro de potasio. Las parcelas fueron establecidas en tierra que fue cultivada por primera vez en 1968. En una rotación papa-grano, la percela fue sembrada con papas en años alternados empezando en 1968. Al término de los ensayos in 1976, los testigos no habian recibido abono potasico. Este abono fue aplicado a parcelas disignadas solamente en 1970 y 1974. Cada parcela recibió el mismo tratamiento en dichos años en días de 150, 300 y 600 lbs. de K2O/A (168, 335 y 670 kg/ha) usando dos formas diferentes de abono (KCl y K2SO4). Muestras de peciolo fueron analizadas para determinar niveles de K. Niveles de K en el suelo fueron determinados anualmente de muestras tomadas antes de la siembra de papa. El nivel de K de 6.5 a 7.5% en el peciolo (45 a 75 días después de la siembra) fue suficientemente alto para producir altos rendimientos. Niveles de 140 ppm de K en el suelo fue suficientemente alto para producir 350 cwt (40 T/ha) de rendimiento.
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Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station Research Paper No. 7774. Department of Plant & Soil Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow 83843.
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McDole, R.E. Potassium fertilizer trials with potatoes on coarse-textured soils in southeastern Idaho. American Potato Journal 55, 161–170 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02852090
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02852090