Abstract
The feasibility of using chemical plant analysis for early diagnosis of phosphate and potassium deficiencies in potatoes was studied. Plant tops (leaves including stems) were sampled from fertilizer field experiments and analyzed for total N, P and K. The inverse relationship between plant N concentration and plant age was used for correcting plant P and K concentration to a standard N content, thus partly eliminating growth stage differences.
Maximum tuber yields were associated with leaf P above 0.5% and leaf K above 5%, both at 5% N in DM. With each percent decrease in N concentration the critical value for P decreases by about 0.1% and that for K by about 0.5%. Serious yield reductions may be found below 0.3% P and below 3% K, again at an N-level of 5%.
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Prummel, J., Von Barnau-Sijthoff, P. Optimum phosphate and potassium levels in potato tops. Fertilizer Research 5, 203–211 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01052717
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01052717