Glasnik Zaštite Bilja, Vol. 47. No. 6., 2024.
Professional paper
Potassium in potato fertilization
Ivana Varga
; Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
*
Ivana Šmituc
; Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Tajana Panišić
; Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Potassium is an essential element for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production, as it significantly affects starch synthesis, photosynthesis, tuber quality, and yield. Potatoes are a crop with high potassium requirements, necessitating special attention to potassium levels in the soil and regular fertilization. Potassium deficiency manifests as reduced turgor, leaf necrosis, and lower tuber quality, while excess potassium is rarely a concern, except in saline soils. To maintain optimal potassium levels, soil analysis is conducted, and based on the results, a combination of organic and mineral fertilizers is applied. Proper potassium dosing through fertilization ensures high yields and tuber quality, while also minimizing negative environmental impacts. According to research, the optimal amount of K should not exceed 270 kg ha-1, in order to maintain the desired physicochemical properties of starch. The use of K2SO4 is preferred over KCl, as KCl can have a negative effect on potato quality during storage.
Keywords
potato production; macroelements; tubers; mass; starch
Hrčak ID:
324834
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2024.
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