Skip to main content

Comparison of techniques for nitrogen analysis in potato crops

  • Chapter
Optimization of Plant Nutrition

Part of the book series: Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences ((DPSS,volume 53))

Abstract

Potato leaf, stem and tuber samples have been analysed for nitrogen concentration [N], by three methods; Kjeldahl digestion, Dumas combustion, and near infra-red reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy. Models to estimate [N] from NIR have been developed using either Kjeldahl or Dumas for calibration. Estimates of [N] from all three methods, are highly correlated. However, [N] measurements by Kjeldahl and Dumas are not in agreement. Kjeldahl has a recovery rate of ca. 98% organic-N and variable recovery of inorganic-N. Dumas measures both organic- and inorganic-N with a recovery rate of 100%. The suitability of Kjeldahl as an analytical technique must be questioned when NIR methods are available which will give accurate [N] values quickly, safely and cheaply.

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

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 429.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Batey T 1977 Prediction by leaf analysis of nitrogen fertilizer required for winter wheat. J. Sci. Food Agric. 28, 275–278.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goh K M and Haynes R J 1986 Nitrogen and agronomic practice. In Mineral Nitrogen in the Plant-Soil System. Ed. Haynes pp 379–468. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood D J, Neeteson J J and Draycott A 1986 Quantitative relationships for the dependence of growth rate of arable crops on their nitrogen content, dry weight and aerial environment. Plant and Soil 91, 281–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta A and Saxena M C 1976 Total nitrogen concentration in leaves of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) as an index of nutritional status. J. Agric. Sci. (Cambridge) 87, 293296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joltans J L 1985 Using fertilizers on the farm. In Fertilizers in UK Farming. Centre for Agricultural Strategy Report 9. p 50–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korcak R F, Norris K H, Walker V and Bhargava J N 1987 Measurement of apple leaf total nitrogen by near-infrared reflectance. HortScience 22, 308–309.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kunkel R, Thornton R E and Holstad N M 1983 Petiole levels — what do they mean? Proceedings of the 1983 Washington Potato Conference and Trade Fair. pp. 103111.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacKerron D K L, Young M W and Davies H V 1993 A method to optimize N-application in relation to soil supply of N and yield in potato. Plant and Soil 154, 139–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tinker P B H 1978 Uptake and consumption of soil nitrogen in relation to agronomic practice. In Nitrogen Assimilation of Plants. Eds. EJ Hewitt and CV Cutting. pp 101–122. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wetselaar R and Farquhar G D 1980 Nitrogen losses from tops of plants. Adv. Agron. 33, 263–302.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Young, M.W., Davies, H.V., MacKerron, D.K.L. (1993). Comparison of techniques for nitrogen analysis in potato crops. In: Fragoso, M.A.C., Van Beusichem, M.L., Houwers, A. (eds) Optimization of Plant Nutrition. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 53. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2496-8_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2496-8_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4331-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-2496-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics