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Optimization of Leaf Nitrogen Concentration and Monitoring Time for Sustainable Potato Production in Tropics

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Abstract

Crop nitrogen (N) status monitoring is required as a decision-making tool to optimize N management of current potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.). Field experiments were conducted to assess the leaf N concentration (LNC) as a diagnostic tool of the N status of potatoes grown in tropical environments of southeastern Brazil. Treatments consisted of two cultivars (Agata and Electra) and five N managements, which varied in rates (0–320 kg N ha−1) and application timings. The LNC was monitored in the most recently matured leaves from 10 to 59 days after emergence (DAE). Total dry matter (DM) biomass and N uptake at vine killing (~ 85 DAE) and fresh tuber yield were also measured. High variation was observed in total DM biomass (3.53–9.75 Mg ha−1), N uptake (41–224 kg ha−1), and tuber yield (14–61 Mg ha−1), with most of the variations ascribed to N management (60–90%). High variation in LNC (68.0–30.8 g kg−1) was attributed to N management and leaf sampling date. Relative tuber yields were positively related to the LNC values across the potato cycle. The threshold value of LNC to reach 95% of maximum tuber yield linearly decreased from 17 to 59 DAE (i.e., from 283 to 999 cumulative growing degree days after emergence) in both potato cultivars. The reference values of LNC to ensure N sufficiency varied from 63.8 g kg−1 (17 DAE) to 52.6 g kg−1 (59 DAE). These outcomes can guide growers to adjust the supply of N according to potato N requirements up to mid-season, preventing the application of excess N fertilizer.

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Data Availability

The datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for granting awards for excellence in research to the second author. We are thankful to the potato grower (Ivan Fornaziero), who provided the area for this investigation (SY2 and SY3), and the Brazilian Association of Potato (ABBA) who provided the seed tubers.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, grant no. 2016/15396–5) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq, grant no. 304736/2018–0). The first author received financial support from the Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement (CAPES, Finance Code 001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Universitária, 3780, Botucatu, SP, 18610-034, Brazil

    Fabiana M. Fernandes & Rogério P. Soratto

  2. Center of Tropical Roots and Starches, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil

    Rogério P. Soratto

  3. Institute of Plant Production and Protection, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Valdivia, Chile

    Patricio Sandaña

  4. Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Emerson F. C. Souza

  5. Rural Development Institute of Paraná - IAPAR-EMATER (IDR-Paraná), Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil

    Renato Yagi

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  1. Fabiana M. Fernandes
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  2. Rogério P. Soratto
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  3. Patricio Sandaña
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  4. Emerson F. C. Souza
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Contributions

Conceptualization, methodology, and data curation: F. M. F. and R. P. S. Formal analysis and investigation: R. P. S. and P. S. Writing, original draft: P. S. Writing, review, and editing: F. M. F., R. P. S., P. S., E. F. C. S., and R. Y. Supervision: R. P. S.

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Correspondence to Rogério P. Soratto or Patricio Sandaña.

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Fernandes, F.M., Soratto, R.P., Sandaña, P. et al. Optimization of Leaf Nitrogen Concentration and Monitoring Time for Sustainable Potato Production in Tropics. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 22, 2765–2775 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-022-00843-7

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