Abstract
A large percentage of winter and spring potatoes (Solanum tuberosum, L.) grown in the USA is produced in northeast Florida (NEF) on sandy soils with low cation exchange capacity. Maintaining adequate K nutrition is a major concern. A study was conducted on an Elzey fine sand (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Typic Humaquept) in NEF to relate yield and leaf K to soil and fertilizer K levels. In 1981, Mehlich-I soil K in the 0–15 cm depth averaged 73 mg/kg. Yields of 35 t/ha were obtained without any K fertilization and no response to K sidedressed at rates up to 70 kg/ha was obtained. In the following three years, soil K prior to fertilization was < 40 mg/kg. In 1982 and 1983, significant differences in yield were obtained as a result of K fertilization at planting at rates up to 186 kg/ha. In 1984, no yield differences were obtained with K fertilizer rates ranging from 94 to 280 kg/ha. Differences in maximum tuber yields from year to year were related to the number of growing-degree days accumulated between planting and harvest. Yield-leaf K relationships for leaf samples taken late in the season showed that the critical leaf K concentration for 35 t/ha yields was no more than about 20 g/kg; that for yields approaching 40 t/ha was no more than about 45 g/kg. The results of this study indicated that current K fertilizer recommendations are higher than necessary for the yields being obtained by most NEF potato growers.
Resumen
Un gran porcentaje de papas de invierno y de primavera (Solanum tuberosum L.), cultivadas en los Estados Unidos de América, se produce en el noreste de Florida (NEF) en suelos arenosos con baja capacidad de intercambio de cationes. El mantener una adecuada nutrición conK es de principal importancia. Se condujo un estudio en arena fina Elzey (un tipico Humaquept arenosos, silicoso e hipertérmico) en NEF, para encontrar la relación del rendimiento y delK foliar con los niveles deK en el suelo y en el fertilizante. En 1981, elK en el suelo, extraídocon Mehlich-launa profundidad de 0–15 cm, promedió 73 mg/kg. Se obtuvieron rendimientos de 35 t/ha sin ninguna aplicación deK, no habiéndose obtenido respuesta alguna al abonamiento potásico con dosis de hasta 70 kg/ha. En los siguientes tres años, elK del suelo antes de la aplicación del fertilizante fue < 40 mg/kg. En 1982 y 1983, se obtuvieron diferencias significativas en el rendimiento como resultado de la aplicación deK al momento del sembrio, en dosis de hasta 180 kg/ha. En 1984, con dosis deK variando de 94 a 280 kg/ha, no se obtuvieron diferencias en rendimiento. Las diferencias, de año en año, en los rendimientos máximos en tubérculos, estuvieron relacionados con el núméro de grados-crecimiento día (Growing-degree days) acumulado entre siembra y cosecha. Las relaciones entre los rendimientos y el contenido foliar deK, para las muestras de hojas tomadas al final de la temporada, mostraron que la concentración crítica deK en las hojas, para rendimientos de 35 t/ha, no era sino de alrededor de 20 g/kg, y que para rendimientos cecanos a las 40 t/ha no era mayor de 45 g/kg. Los resultados de este estudio indicaron que las cantidades recomendadas actualmente para fertilizar conK, son más altas de lo necesario, para los rendimientos que vienen obteniendo los productores de papa del noreste de Florida (NEF).
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Florida Agricultural Experiment Station. Journal SeriesNo. 7204. This study was partially supported by a grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority.
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Rhue, R.D., Hensel, D.R. & Kidder, G. Effect of K fertilization on yield and leaf nutrient concentrations of potatoes grown on a sandy soil. American Potato Journal 63, 665–681 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02852981
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02852981