Potatoes Potatoes (2007) Potatoes Comparisons of Nitrogen Sources and Foliars (2008) Potatoes Nitrogen Types (2008) Potato Seed Piece Direct Fertilizer Application at Planting (2008)
Experiment: Potatoes Year (Experiment Number): 2007 (07-101) Date of Planting/Harvest: April 24 / Sept 10 Hybrid: Diplomat Plot Size (replications): 30 x 40 (by variety), 3 replications Soil Test Levels (ppm) ph ~ 7.3 P1 ~ 61 CEC ~ 6.3 K ~ 87 OM ~ 1.8% (3.5% K) Potatoes are a crop that is produced in every state of the United States and virtually every country of the world. The intended use can vary from processing, chipping and/or table stock. The shape and color of the potatoes can be very diverse as well. For this trial, two common varieties that were selected as they are used in multiple ways and grown in many areas of the US. The varieties are Russet Burbank and Snowden. Inputs of phosphorus and potassium are commonly made prior to planting and nitrogen is very often applied as split applications during the growing season. This trial followed that idea and utilized various Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizer programs to enhance potato size and yields. Comparisons with conventional fertilizer products were also made. The entire plot area was planted to soybeans in the season prior to this trial. The stubble was lightly worked in the spring with a field cultivator to prepare for establishment of the plots. A yield goal of 350 cwt/acre was used with Michigan State University s Vegetable Fertility Guide (E2934) to develop the basic fertility levels. On April 24, 2007, the dry fertilizers were broadcast then lightly incorporated; liquid fertilizer materials were banded along the edge of the 6 deep seed furrow (2 above and 3 to the side of the seed-piece) of selected plot areas. Whole b sized tubers of Russet Burbank and 2-3 oz Snowden variety seed pieces were then planted into the plot area. Each plot two rows wide by 30 long and consisted of thirty seed pieces with 12 spacing between tubers for each variety. All rows were 40 apart on center. Table P1. Potato fertility treatments and application methods utilized in the 2007 trial. Treatment (Yield goal = 10 tons/acre) Rate/A Method of Application 1 Untreated Control 0 beside seed 0-0-60+10-34-0+Mn 383# + 37.5 +5# PPI / Pre 2 28% UAN x 3 13.6 x 3 3 x Side dress PG + SK + Micro 500+ Mn 12, 16, 2qt, 1pt beside seed 3 HN x 3 10x3 3x Side dress PG + SK + Micro 500+ Mn 12, 16, 2qt, 1pt beside seed 4 28% UAN w/ enhance x 3 13.6 x3 3x Side dress PG + SK + Micro 500+ Mn 12, 16, 2qt, 1pt beside seed 5 NR x 3 12.75x3 3x Side dress PG + SK + Micro 500 + Mn 3+4+2qt+1pt beside seed 6 (HN + PG + SK)x3 10+3+4 3 x Side dress SK = Sure-K, PG=Pro-Germinator, HN = High HRG-N, NR = High HRG-NR, Mn = Manganese Flavanol
Admire and Ridomil pesticides were banded over the seed furrow at recommended rates of application during planting. Additional fungicides and insecticides were applied as necessary through out the growing season with an air-blast backpack sprayer operated at 10 gallons per acre, ensuring through coverage by the pesticides. A total of four side dress nitrogen applications were made over the growing season. One- Third of the total nitrogen application was applied just prior to hilling on June 1 st. Two weeks after the initial application, one-third of the total rate was applied again. At 4 weeks after hilling, 1/6 of the Nitrogen was applied and the last 1/6 of the nitrogen was applied 6 weeks after hilling. On all application dates, the appropriate material was placed under the crop canopy and immediately beside the crop row. With the exception of the hilling operations, Irrigation was then applied to incorporate the nitrogen for all treatments. Drip irrigation lines were placed beside each potato row prior to hilling. The hilling operation pushed these lines against the plants and buried them slightly, but they remained functional in all plots. Water was applied to the plot area weekly in quantities necessary to maintain adequate soil moisture for proper potato development. All the potatoes larger than 1.5 were dug and bagged by plot with a single row potato harvester on Sept 25 th. During the next two days the potatoes were sorted according to grade and weighted to determine yields. RESULTS: The yield response for the two varieties were found to be statistically different so the results will be presented separately. Russet Burbank Potatoes The conventional fertility program was statistically similar to all ACLF fertilizer application programs, but statistically greater than the untreated control. The last treatment program separated a portion of the phosphorus and potassium (Pro- Germ & Sure-K) needs of the potatoes over the entire season. Twenty percent of the P&K were applied with the nitrogen applications. This resulted in the lowest yielding fertilizer program. Yields were statistically similar to the untreated control. This treatment demonstrated the need for the phosphorus and potassium to be applied early for optimal Russet Burbank growth and yield. 500 450 Yield (Cwt./Acre) 400 350 300 250 200 268.8 Untreated 410.1 Conventional (dry & 28) 431.7 ACLF w/ 4 X HN 390.4 ACLF HN x 2 apps 441.1 ACLF w/ 4 X HNR 376.6 ACLF w/ 4 X HN + SK&PG
Chart P1. Marketable yields of Russet Burbank potatoes in response to fertility programs. The ACLF fertility programs that utilized four applications of nitrogen as High NRG-N or NR were the best yielding programs in this trial. The yield response for the High NRG-NR was approximately 10 cwt./a greater than High NRG-N, but both were statistically similar. The Russet Burbank potatoes may have preferred the urea based nitrogen in the High NRG- NR. This treatment program will be repeated in 2008 to test this idea again. When the total High NRG-N application divided into only two applications, (1 st & 3 rd applications), yields were reduced compared to four applications with the same product. The Russet Burbank potatoes yielded better with a more consistent supply of nitrogen. Snowden Potatoes: Yields for all fertility programs were significantly greater than the untreated control. The last treatment shows that Snowden potatoes, like the Russet Burbank, yielded poorly when the phosphorus and potassium were not applied entirely at the start of the season. Applying a portion of the Sure-K and Pro-Germinator with the nitrogen in-season dramatically reduced crop yields. The best yielding fertility program utilized ACLF fertility with High NRG-NR form of nitrogen, just like the Russet Burbank. However, the observed yield was statistically similar to all other fertility programs. Unlike Russet Burbank, the number of nitrogen applications per season was not highly critical to the Snowden variety yield (Trt #3 ). When High NRG-N was applied two or four times per season, the yields were statistically similar. Therefore, Snowden potatoes were able to utilize the nitrogen with both these application timings. 350 300 Yield (Cwt./Acre) 250 200 150 319 312 322 328 242 100 147 Untreated Conventional (dry & 28%) ACLF w/ 4 X HN ACLF w/ HN x 2 apps* ACLF w/ 4 X HNR ACLF w/ HN +SK&PG Chart P2. Marketable yield of Snowden variety potatoes in response to fertility programs.
Experiment: Potatoes Comparisons of Nitrogen Sources and Foliars Year (Experiment Number): 2008 (08-101) Date of Planting/Harvest: April 24 / Sept 10 Hybrid: Russet Norkota Plot Size (replications): 30 x 40 (by variety), 3 replications Soil Test Levels (ppm) ph ~ 7.3 P1 ~ 61 CEC ~ 6.3 K ~ 87 OM 1 8% (3 5% K) Potatoes are a crop that is produced in every state of the United States and virtually every country of the world. The intended use can vary from processing, chipping and/or table stock. The shape and color of the potatoes can be very diverse as well. The variety chosen for this trial was Russet Norkota. Inputs of phosphorus and potassium are commonly made prior to planting and nitrogen is very often applied as split applications during the growing season. This trial followed that idea and utilized various Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizer products to enhance potato yield and grade. Comparisons with conventional fertilizer products were also made. The entire plot area was planted to soybeans in the season prior to this trial. The stubble was lightly worked in the spring with a field cultivator to prepare for establishment of the plots. A yield goal of 350 cwt / acre was used with Michigan State University s Vegetable Fertility Guide (E2934) to develop the basic fertility levels. The base N: P 2 O 5 : K 2 O rates used for all plots were 172, 152 and 160 pounds per acre respectively. Table P1. Potato fertility treatments and application methods utilized in the 2008 trial. Treatment Rate/A Method of Application 1 Untreated Control 0 na 0-0-60+ Mn + 10-34-0 267# +5# + 39.1 PrePlant 2 28% UAN x 2 21.3 2 x Side dress PG + SK + Micro 500+ Mn 11.7+12.3+3.8 qt+1pt beside seed 3 HN x 2 17.5 2x Side dress PGK + SK + Micro 500+ Mn 11.7+12.3+3.8 qt+1pt beside seed 4 HN x 2 17.5 2x Side dress PG + Micro 500 + Mn + 0-0-60 11.7+3.8 qt+ 1pt+267# beside seed 5 28% UAN x 2 21.3 2x Side dress PG + SK + Micro 500+ Mn 11.7+12.3+3.8 qt+1pt beside seed 6 NR x 2 21.6 2x Side dress SK = Sure-K TM, PG=Pro-Germinator TM, HN = High NRG-N TM, G07 & F07 were Experimental Foliar Materials. PGK was an alternative formulation of Pro-Germinator evaluated this season. On May 5 th, 2008, the dry fertilizers were broadcast then lightly incorporated with a rake; liquid fertilizer materials were banded along the edge of the 6 deep seed furrow (2 above and just to the side of the seed-piece) of selected plot areas. Thirty cut seed pieces of Russet Norkota averaging 2-3 oz each were then hand placed into the plot area with 12 spacing between seed pieces. Most seed pieces had only one cut surface. Each plot was two rows wide by 30 long and 32 apart on center.
Admire and Ridomil pesticides were banded over the seed pieces at recommended rates of application during planting. Additional fungicides (14 day interval) and insecticides (as necessary) were applied throughout the growing season with an air-blast backpack sprayer operated at 10 gallons per acre, ensuring through coverage by these pesticides. A two side dress nitrogen applications were made over the growing season. One half of the total nitrogen requirement was applied just prior at hilling on June 1 st. Two weeks after the initial application the remaining nitrogen was banded near each row and then the plots were irrigated. Irrigation of the plots was accomplished from the use of drip irrigation lines placed beside each potato row prior to hilling. The hilling operation pushed these lines against the plants and buried them within the hill, but they remained functional in all plots. Water was applied to the plot area weekly in quantities necessary to maintain adequate soil moisture for proper potato development. All the potatoes larger than 1.5 were dug and bagged by plot with a single row potato harvester on Sept 25 th. During the next two days the potatoes were sorted according to size / shape and then weighted to determine yields. RESULTS: The total observed yield for all fertility programs were relatively similar, averaging just over 300 cwt/acre. While the total yields were similar, there were some very noticeable difference among the grade distribution and therefore marketable yield among these treatments (Figure P1). The ACLF Base fertility program (Trt#3) produced the greatest yield of 4 oz and larger tubers among all treatments in this trial (Figure P2). Especially notable was an increase of nearly 10 cwt. /Ace in the 8 oz and larger tubers when compared to the conventional fertility program (Trt. #2). Among all the ACLF fertility programs evaluated, the programs with alternative sources of nitrogen, PGK (experimental Pro- Germinator formulation) didn t produce marketable yields above the base fertility program. Figure P1. Russet Norkota Potato Yields by Grade Size for Various Fertility Programs in 2008
CONCLUSIONS: The basic fertility programs (treatment #2 & #3) were the most effective programs for potato production in this 2008 trial. The ACLF Base fertility program (Treatment #3) resulted in highest numeric yield and a higher percentage of 8 oz and larger tubers than all other fertility programs tested. Figure P2 Marketable Size Russet Norkota Potato Yields from Various Fertility Programs in 2008.
2008 Professional Liquid Fertilizer Program (PLFP) non-replicated trials For the 2008 PLFP, several non-replicated plots were established for educational purposes at the field day. The following pages contain a brief outline of the trial and the harvest results from a couple of those trials established on vegetables. POTATOES - NITROGEN TYPE DEMO: MATERIALS & METHODS: Variety = Russet Norkota Planted on May 1 st, 2008 Single row, 20 ft in length (20 seed pieces) Planting Fertilizer single band applied 2 inches to the side and slightly above the seed piece. Pro-Germinator @ 11.7 GPA, Sure-K @ 12.3 GPA, Micro-500 @ 4qt/A & 1 pt Mn Flavonol. Nitrogen applications were made twice during the growing season. The initial application was made just prior to hilling and a second of the same rate was applied two weeks later. Rates and nitrogen type are listed below. All seed pieces were treated with Admire and Ridomil at labeled rates during planting. Plants were all irrigated and treated with pesticides as necessary during the growing season for optimal growth. Plants were manually topped to stop growth on October 1 st and then harvested on October 15 th with a single row harvester. Potatoes from each plot area were individually bagged at harvest and sorted according to size and weighted two days later. TREATMENTS: 1. Planting fertilizer only No Nitrogen 2. 28% UAN 2 x 31 GPA (186 Total pounds of N) 3. enhance + 28% UAN 2 X 25 GPA (80% of Trt #2 rate) 4. High NRG-N 2 x 18.6 GPA 5. enhanced 28% +High NRG-N @ 50:50 2 x 21.8 GPA CONCLUSIONS: The 50:50 blend of High NRG-N and the enhanced UAN solution resulted in the greatest yield and most 8 oz and over potatoes. There appeared to be a synergy for this blend as it clearly out performed either product applied individually. Future replicated work will be done to confirm this result. 1 2 3 4 5 Figure DP1. Effect of Nitrogen form on the yield of Russet Norkota Potatoes Demo
POTATO SEED PIECE - DIRECT FERTILIZER APPLICATION AT PLANTING MATERIALS & METHODS: Variety = Russet Norkota Planted on May 8 th, 2008 Single row, 15 ft in length (15 seed pieces) no effort was made to orient the cut surface of the seed pieces up or down. Each piece was simply dropped into the furrow at planting. Planter Fertilizer a single hollow cone nozzle was used to apply the fertilizer in a 4-5 wide band within the seed furrow as described below. Two applications of High NRG-N were made during the growing season, both at 18.6 GPA. The initial application was made just prior to hilling and a second of the same rate was applied two weeks later. All seed pieces were treated with Admire and Ridomil at labeled rates during planting. Plants were all irrigated and treated with pesticides as necessary during the growing season for optimal growth. Plants were manually topped to stop growth on October 1 st and then harvested on October 15 th. Potatoes from each plot were individually bagged at harvest and sorted according to size and weighted two days later. TREATMENTS: 1. Pro-Germinator 2.5 GPA banded prior to planting (below the seed piece) 2. Pro-Germinator 5.0 GPA banded prior to planting 3. Sure-K 2.5 GPA banded prior to planting 4. Sure-K 5.0 GPA banded prior to planting 5. Pro-Germinator 2.5 GPA banded on the seed piece after planting (directly on seed piece) 6. Pro-Germinator 5.0 GPA banded on the seed piece 7. Sure-K 2.5 GPA banded on the seed piece 8. Sure-K 5.0 GPA banded on the seed piece 9. Pro-Germinator 1.25 GPA + Sure-K 1.25 GPA banded on the seed piece 10. Pro-Germinator 2.5 GPA + Sure-K 2.5 GPA banded on the seed piece The rates of Pro-Germinator and Sure-K utilized for this study were well below the phosphorus and potassium levels required for optimal potato production in this soil. Still, no additional P or K fertility was applied beyond what is listed in the above treatment list. CONCLUSIONS: 100% stand emergence and growth was achieved in all plots. At the rates of application used in this simple trial, no negative impact on plant establishment was noticed. Direct application of the fertilizers onto the eyes of the seed pieces or laying the eyes directly on treated soil didn t reduce stem counts or delay emergence. It should also be noted that at the time of establishment, the soil was relatively warm and emergence occurred rather quickly after planting. The higher rate of Pro-Germinator (5 GPA) resulted in higher yields than the low rate, regardless of fertilizer placement. When it was placed below the seed piece at 5 GPA, there was a dramatic increase in the 8 oz and larger tubers.
The lower application rates of Sure-K in this study resulted in greater yields then the higher rate. This occurred for both fertilizer placements. Still, yields for 2.5 GPA of Sure-K only was greater than the same rate of Pro-Germinator. This difference 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 was likely related to Figure DP2. Demonstration Potato Seed Piece Fertility Comparisons in 2008 the residual fertility in the soil for this trial and the high potassium requirement of potatoes. The best overall yields were observed from combining Pro-Germinator and Sure-K. This was most likely a result of providing these plants with a better balance of both nutrients. At rates up to 5 GPA, there appeared to be no harmful consequences from placing Pro-Germinator directly below or on the potato seed pieces. The 5GPA rate of Sure-K did exhibit lower yields then the 2.5 GPA rate. The best yield result was found from a combination of Pro-Germinator & Sure-K applied at planting. Still, additional work is needed for this type of application to be confirmed. These results could change dramatically if sufficient rates of P & K were applied to the soil at or prior to planting. Soil type and soil temperatures could also impact the value of these types of applications. More things to test next season.