Effect of Nutrient Level on the Growth and Chemical Composition of Sweetpotatoes in Sand Cultures

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to determine the genieral nutrient requirements of the sweetpotato since field fertilizer tests have yielded a variety of responses with different fertilizer treatments. Sweetpotatoes usually respond to small applications of nitrogen fertilizers but excessive fertility often results in too much vine growth and few storage roots.The study to be reported was conducted on the influence of three or more concentrations of the following chemicals upon vine growth, storage root production, and chemical composition of the sweetpotato plant: NaNo,, NaH2PO4, CaCl2, MgSO4, KCl, KCl plus NaCl, K2SO4 and H,BO,.Data are presented in the present paper on the relationships between mineral nutrition and (1) storage root and vine weight; (2) general appearance of the leaf blades, storage roots, and fibrous roots; (3) mineral composition of the leaf blades, petioles, stems, storage roots and vines; and (4) carbohydrate composition of the leaf blades. MethodsTwo-gallon, ulazed crocks were filled with Ottawa silica sand. The opening for drainage near the base of the crocks was filled loosely with glass wool to prevent escape of the sand. The crocks were placed out-of-doors on two benches raised about 3 feet above the ground, in 32 groups of 12 each. The benches were located in the open away from the shading effects of trees and buildings. Glazed, 50-liter crocks were placed in front of each group of 12 two-gallon crocks, and used as reservoirs for holding nutrient solutions. The 50-liter crocks containing nutrient solutions were covered to exclude sunlight and rain.Uniform Triumph sweetpotato sprouts were planted one to a crock on May 9, 1945. The nutrient solutions were added as frequently as seemed necessary to supply moisture and nutrients. The

Faidherbia albidaon the Tonga Plateau of southern Zambia: an agroecological analysis

“…However, the benefits of F. albida are perceived by both men and women as limited to maize, which is a crop controlled entirely by men. The trees are believed to be detrimental to yield of sweet potato roots, which form a major portion of women's marketable produce, perhaps because of negative influence that moderate levels of soil nitrogen have on sweet potatoes (Leonard et al 1948, Hartemink et al 2000. Strong cultural injunctions against cutting F. albida make the trees a permanent fixture on the landscape, and may therefore designate a field for long-term growth of maize.…”

Influence of Mineral Nutrition and Storage on Quality Factors of ‘Jewel’ Sweet Potatoes1

“…Modem high density plantings require careful management in order to control tree size and maintain productivity. Summer pruning is presently being promoted by some pomologists as an aid to control tree vigor (2,5,10,12,15), to increase fruit bud formation (5,10,11,12), and to improve fruit quality (3,4). Earlier research indicated summer pruning was too devitalizing and laborious to be of commercial value (1).…”

“…The carbohydrate content was not changed using var ious ratios of N -P -K (14). Leonard et al (12) observed that carbohydrate content of 'Triumph' sweet potatoes decreased with increased K-levels. Nutrient ratios and various soil amendment applications did not influence the carotene content of sweet pottoes (2,3,5,9,20).…”

Forecasting of N Fertilizer Requirements for Sweet Potatoes

“…Increasing soil organic N levels through the utilization of leguminous cover crops depresses the response of sweet potatoes to N fertilization (20,23). Sweet potato yields consistently increase with N fertilization in sand culture studies (13,21) and in soils of marginal fertility (9). Residual soil N may explain some of the variation among rate-of-response studies conducted in the field.…”