Economic Optimum Nitrogen Fertilization Rates and Nitrogen Fertilization Rate Effects on Tuber Characteristics of Potato Cultivars

Abstract

The objective of the research was to determine the economic optimum nitrogen (N) fertilization rates and to determine the effects of N fertilization rates on tuber characteristics and fresh mass loss after storage under cold and ambient conditions of four potato cultivars, Ágata, Asterix, Atlantic, and Monalisa. The experiments were, simultaneously, conducted in the same area and similar experimental conditions during the fall/winter period in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. In each experiment, five N fertilization rates (0, 50, 100, 200, 300 kg ha −1 ) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design. For all cultivars, increasing N fertilization rate increased total and marketable yields and tuber dry matter yield up to a maximum following a quadratic model. Increasing N fertilization rate linearly increased the tuber protein concentration of Atlantic and Monalisa and had no effect on tuber pH. N fertilization rate effects on tuber mass, tuber titratable acidity, and fresh mass loss during storage were cultivar-dependent. N use efficiency (tuber yield divided by N fertilization rate) decreased with increase in N fertilization rate. The economic optimum N fertilization rates ranged from 147 to 201 kg ha −1 depending upon cultivar and relative prices of N and potato tubers. Depending on the cultivar, under favorable price conditions (low N price and high tuber price), the economic optimum N fertilization rates to be applied by potato growers were 92-95% of the estimated N fertilization rate for obtaining the maximum potato yield, whereas under unfavorable conditions (high N price and low potato tuber price) the economic optimum N fertilization rates to be applied should be decreased to 86-92% of the rates for maximum yield.

Carbon sequestration and Jerusalem artichoke biomass under nitrogen applications in coastal saline zone in the northern region of Jiangsu, China

“…In the present study, nitrogen fertilization promoted the growth and dry matter accumulation of Jerusalem artichoke and increased tuber yield (Fig. 1), which was consistent with earlier studies (Fontes et al, 2010;Zhou et al, 2006). However, an excess nitrogen application increased the risk of degradation of soil, air and water resources (Bhattacharyya et al, 2010).…”

Prospects of N Fertilization in Medicinal Plants Cultivation

“…With increasing N fertilization costs, it is important to determine optimum N fertilization rates in order to achieve economically viable N fertilization in crop production. In a study carried out in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil that aimed at determining the economic optimum N fertilization rates under cold and ambient conditions of four potato cultivars, it was found that economic optimum N fertilization rates ranged from 147 to 201 kg/ha depending upon cultivar and relative prices of N and potato tubers [33]. Farquharson et al [34] recognized the importance of environmental efects such N 2 O emission of N fertilization in Australian wheat production and using an economic framework model, they predicted that the best fertilizer decision is reduced by about 4 kg N/ha (5%) when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)-based environmental cost of N fertilizer is considered.…”

Response of Growth and Yield of Potato to Neb-26 as a Source of Nitrogen

“…Several N fertilization rates have been advised as optimal for potato production. In some European countries and the USA that have a potato growth cycle of 4-5 months, the recommended N fertilization rates vary from 70 to 330 kg ha -1 , and the most economically efficient rates from 147 to 201 kg ha -1 (Fontes et al, 2010).…”