Abstract
Maximizing fertilizer nitrogen (N) uptake efficiency, while maintaining crop productivity may reduce potential nitrate contamination of groundwater. A two-year field investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of applied N on fertilizer N uptake, uptake efficiency, and total fertilizer N recovery of potato (Solarium tuberosum L. var. Russet Burbank) grown on irrigated sandy soils in Michigan. Nitrogen was applied as15N-depleted ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] at rates 0, 56, and 112, kg N ha-1 in a single application at planting or 112 and 168 kg N ha-1 in split applications during the growing season. Fertilizer N uptake efficiency was relatively unaffected by the N treatments. Fertilizer N uptake efficiency for the whole crop at onset of senescence averaged 52 percent, while values calculated for tubers at harvest were 34 percent. An average of 27 percent of the applied N was present in the soil to a depth of 120 cm after harvest. Approximately 83 percent of this N was found in the 0–30 cm depth. Over 90 percent of the recovered soil N was in the organic form. In this investigation, crop fertilizer N uptake and fertilizer N recovery in soil averaged 63 percent and was largely unaffected by the rate or timing of fertilizer N applications.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Anonymous. 1988. Quikchem methods 12-107-06-2-A and 12-107-04-1-A. Lachat Instruments, Milwaukee, WI.
Brooks, P.D., J.M. Stark, B.B. McInteer and T. Preston. 1989. Diffusion method to prepare soil extracts for automated nitrogen-15 analysis. Soil Sci Soc Am J 53:1707–1711.
Bundy, L.G., R.P. Wolkowski and G.G. Weis. 1986. Nitrogen source evaluation for potato production on irrigated sandy soils. Am Potato J 63:385–397.
Cheng, H.H and S. Roberts. 1982.15N tracer studies on nitrogen uptake by Russet Burbank potatoes. Proc Wash Potato Conf and Trade Fair pp 69–73.
Clutterbuck, B.J. and K. Simpson. 1978. The interactions of water and fertilizer nitrogen in effects on growth pattern and yield of potatoes. J Agric Sci 91:161–172.
Endelman, F.J., D.R. Keeney, J.T. Gilmour and P.G. Saffigna. 1974. Nitrate and chloride movement in the Plainfield loamy sand under intensive irrigation. J Environ Qual 3:295–298.
Gerwing, J.R., A.C. Caldwell and L.L. Goodroad. 1979. Fertilizer nitrogen distribution under irrigation between soil, plant, and aquifer. J Environ Qual 8:281–284.
Harris, D. and E.A. Paul. 1989. Automated analysis of15N and14C in biological samples. Comm. Soil Sci Plant Anal 20:935–947.
Jackson, R.D. and J.L. Haddock. 1959. Growth and nutrient uptake of Russet Burbank potatoes. Am Potato J 36:22–28.
Joern, B.C. and M.L. Vitosh. 1994. Influence of applied nitrogen on potato part one: yield, quality and nitrogen uptake. Am Potato J 71:???.
Leep, R.H. 1988. Effect of increasing nitrogen rates upon production of Russet Burbank potatoes in the upper peninsula 1988. 1988 Michigan Potato Res Rep 20:68–69.
Lesczynski, D.B. and C.B. Tanner. 1976. Seasonal variation of root distribution of irrigated, field-grown Russet Burbank potato. Am Potato J 53:69–78.
Lorenz, O.A., B.L. Weir and J.C. Bishop. 1974. Effect of sources of nitrogen on yield and nitrogen absorption of potatoes. Am Potato J 51:56–65.
MacKerron, D.K.L. and P.D. Waister. 1985. A simple model of potato growth and yield part I: model development and sensitivity analysis. Agrie and Forest Meterology 34:241- 252.
Ojala, J.C., J.C. Stark and G.E. Kleinkopf. 1990. Influence of irrigation and nitrogen management of potato yield and quality. Am Potato J 67:29–43.
Roberts, S. and H.H. Cheng. 1983. Additional results from15N tracer studies on nitrogen uptake by Russet Burbank potatoes. Proc Wash Potato Conf and Trade Fair pp 69–72.
Roberts, S. and H.H. Cheng. 1985. Advances in nitrogen management for Russet Burbank potatoes. Proc Wash Potato Conf and Trade Fair pp 41–47.
Roberts, S., H.H. Cheng and F.O. Farrow. 1991. Potato uptake and recovery of 15N-enriched ammonium nitrate from periodic applications. Agron J 83:378–381.
Roberts, S., W.H. Weaver and J.P. Phelps. 1982. Effect of rate and time of fertilization on nitrogen and yield of Russet Burbank potatoes under center pivot irrigation. Am Potato J 59:77–86.
Saffigna, P.G. and D.R. Keeney. 1977. Nitrogen and chloride uptake by irrigated Russet Burbank potatoes. Agron J 69:258–264.
Saffigna, P.G., D.R. Keeney and C.B. Tanner. 1977. Nitrogen, chloride and water balance with irrigated Russet Burbank potatoes in a sandy soil. Agron J 69:251–257.
Tyler, K.B., F.E. Broadbent and J.C. Bishop. 1983. Efficiency of nitrogen uptake by potatoes. Am Potato J 60:261–269.
Vitosh, M.L. 1971. Fertilizer studies with irrigated potatoes. Research report No. 142, Mich State Univ A.E.S. 11 pp.
Vitosh, M.L. 1984. Irrigation scheduling for potatoes in Michigan. Am Potato J 61:205- 213.
Vitosh, M.L. 1985. Nitrogen management strategies for potato producers. Mich State Univ Ext Bull WQ09. 4 pp.
Vitosh, M.L. 1990. Potato fertilizer recommendations. Mich State Univ Ext Bull E220. 8pp.
Vitosh, M.L., J.W. Noling, G.W. Bird and R.W. Chase. 1980. The joint action of nitrogen and nematicides onPratylenchus penetrans and potato yield. Am Potato J 57:101–111.
Vitosh, M.L., D.B. Campbell, D.A. Hyde and B.P. Darling. 1989. Nitrogen management studies on potatoes: Sandyland Farms. 1989 Michigan Potato Res Rep 21:81–85.
Vitosh, M.L., D.B. Campbell, D.A. Hyde and B.P. Darling. 1989. Nitrogen management studies on potatoes: Anderson Bros. 1989 Michigan Potato Res Rep 21:86–90.
Westerman, R.L., L.T. Kurtz and R.D. Hauck. 1972. Recovery of15N labeled fertilizers in field experiments. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 36:82–86.
Westermann, D.T., G.E. Kleinkopf and L.K Porter. 1988. Nitrogen fertilizer efficiencies on potatoes. Am Potato J 65:377–386.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Joern, B.C., Vitosh, M.L. Influence of applied nitrogen on potato part II: recovery and partitioning of applied nitrogen. American Potato Journal 72, 73–84 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02987281
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02987281