Effect of Nitrogen and Potassium Levels on the Potatoes Growth in the Chott Mariem Region of Tunisia

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the experimental station of Higher Institute of Agronomy, Chott Mariem, Sousse (Tunisia) to investigate the effect of similar levels of nitrogen and potassium on potato growth (Spunta variety). Four similar levels of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) (0, 50, 80 and 120 kg ha -1 ) were randomized complete block design with four replications. Data collected on growth and yield parameters were analyzed using SPSS.20 computer software. Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) levels showed significant effect on mostly growth and yield parameters. It can be show that N and K application at the level of 120 kg ha -1 significantly affected plant height (59.16 cm), number of leaves plant -1 (294), number of branches plant -1 (14.66), fruits plant -1 (20.96), and leaf area (422.66) index. Additionally the maximum of dry matter (13.83%), tuber size (79 mm), tuber yield (22.193) and tuber weight (203.66 g) were recorded with 120 kg ha -1. From this study, it can be concluded that the higher levels of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) (120 kgha -1) can be used for optimum production of potato variety Spunta in the study area.

Agronomic and Economic Interactions between Sidedressed Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilizations on ‘Atlantic’ Potato

“…The MY increases obtained with the combined optimal N and K rates were, respectively, 11% or 46% higher in the summer-fall experiment and 157% or 64% higher in the spring experiment, compared to the maximum increases of MY obtained with the optimal isolated N or K fertilization rates. Thus, our results confirm the hypothesis that the classic interactive effect of planting-applied N and K increasing potato tuber yield [4][5][6][7][8] also occurs with combined application of these nutrients as sidedressing before hilling. According to the criteria described by Rietra and coauthors [26], this interaction would be Liebig-synergistic because relative tuber yields with optimum N and K rates in both growing seasons were similar to the product between the relative tuber yields with isolated N or K fertilization ( Table 2).…”

“…Tubers are the main N and K sink in potato plants, accumulating 72% of N and 52% of K taken up by the Atlantic cultivar [2]. Nitrogen × K interaction synergistically increases the vegetative growth of potato plants, extending the tuber setting duration and increasing size, weight, and amounts of N and K removed by the tubers [8]. The presence of available N and K increases number and size of potato microtubers with the action of phytohormones in laboratory conditions [20] as well in the tuber size in field [7,8].…”

“…The N and K are the nutrients taken up in greatest amounts by potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants [1][2][3] and suitable rates at planting synergistically increase potato yield [4][5][6][7][8]. However, unbalanced fertilization with N and K at planting can also reduce yield [6], specific gravity (SG) [4] or dry matter (DM) content of tubers, depending on potato genotype [9].…”

Effects of Applying Nitrogen and Potassium on Lilium lancifolium Growth and Accumulation of Secondary Metabolites in Bulbs

“…Thus, N had a greater effect on top growth in L. lancifolium, probably because it is essential for cell division and elongation [35], and K was crucial for bulb enlargement. An appropriate combination of N and K fertilizers could be an efficient strategy to improve the growth traits and tuber yield in L. lancifolium [36].…”