HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by MacKay, D. C. Articles by Bishop, R. F. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by MacKay, D. C. Articles by Bishop, R. F. Agricola Articles by MacKay, D. C. Articles by Bishop, R. F.

Optimum Nutrient Levels in Potato Leaves (Solanum tuberosum L.)¹

ABSTRACT

Field experiments involving six rates of each of the nutrients N, P, and K were conducted at 18 locations over a 3-year period. Comparison of polynomial response curves for tuber yields with those for nutrient content of uppermost mature leaves collected at the 10% bloom stage suggested optimum levels of 6.5, 0.50, and 3.9% for N, P, and K, respectively.

The optimum level for K was the most satisfactory of the three nutrients because moderate yield deficiencies resulted in large differences in leaf concentrations. However, on soils high in exchangeable K, responses to K fertilization were obtained at higher leaf levels than on soils low in K.

The optimum level derived for N appeared to be fairly stable. On coarse-textured soils, or where a combination of factors produced unusually high yields, somewhat higher leaf levels, at the stage sampled, were apparently necessary to prevent deficiency.

The optimum level obtained for P was the least satisfactory, since there was considerable variation as a result of season and soil series. However, where yields were < 90% of the maximum, the P content was invariably well below the overall optimum value.

¹ Joint publication from the Research Branch, Canada Department of Agriculture, Kentville, N.S. (Contribution no. 1192) and Charlottetown, P.E.I. (Contribution no. 144). Presented before Div. S-4, Soil Science Society of America, at Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 16, 1964.

² Research Scientist, Experimental Farm, Charlottetown, P.E.I.; Chemist and Research Scientist, Research Station. Kentville, N.S.

Received for publication April 2, 1965. Accepted for publication September 9, 1965.