Seaweed extract-based fertilizer and water stress on potato crops

Abstract

Seaweed extract-based fertilizers are applied to mitigate the effects of stress on plants. In this study, we evaluated the effects of different concentrations of seaweed extract-based fertilizer and different irrigation depths on potato crops. The Ágata cultivar and the Markies cultivar were used to conduct two experiments simultaneously. A 4 × 4 experimental design was used, with four doses of seaweed extract-based fertilizer (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 4.0 L ha-1) and four irrigation depths (50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of crop evapotranspiration); each treatment had three replicates. Leaves were collected 67 days after emergence to analyze macronutrients and micronutrients; additionally, the number of stems per plant and physiological variables were assessed. After harvesting, the number and weight of tubers in different classes were recorded. The differences in parameters among treatment groups were determined by analysis of variance using the F-test, and regression analysis was performed when a significant difference was recorded. The results showed that the contents of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium in the leaves of the Ágata cultivar were below the optimal levels for the crop, irrespective of the irrigation level and the dose of seaweed extract-based fertilizer applied. The highest irrigation depths at 100% and 125% of crop evapotranspiration were associated with an increase in the number and weight of the large tubers of the Ágata and Markies cultivars.