ARROBAS, M.    RODRIGUES, M. A.. Effect of preplant nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium application on potato crop.: Tuber yield and nutrient use efficiency. []. , 32, 1, pp.101-111. ISSN 0871-018X.

Results from fertilisation field trials with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on potato crop are presented. The study was carried out in Sta Apolónia farm, NE Portugal, in 2002. Three independent experiments, one for each nutrient, were organized in completely randomized designs. Phosphorus treatments included 0, 50, 100 and 200 kg P2O5/ha. Potassium treatments were 0, 50, 100, 200 kg K2O/ha and N treatments 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 kg N/ha. Calcium superphosphate (18 % P2O5), potassium chloride (60 % K2O) and urea (45 % N), in rates according to the above-mentioned treatments, were broadcast and incorporated in their respective plots with pre-planting tillage. The higher tuber yield recorded for all treatments reached 42 Mg/ha. Phosphorus rate did not significantly (a < 0,05) influence tuber yield, while with potassium and nitrogen fertilisation a significant increase of 8 Mg/ha above the control was recorded. Exponential asymptotic equations were used to fit the crop response to applied K and N. The response curves show an initial increase on tuber yield, followed by a progressive attenuation as the nutrient rate increase and stabilising in an extended plateau for the higher nutrient rates. None of the elements influenced the size and the dry matter percentage of the tubers. Petiole nitrate concentrations and chlorophyll SPAD readings, performed with the portable tools: RQflex reflectometer and SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter, showed correspondence with fertiliser-N treatments. Thus, they can be used to diagnose the N nutritional status of crop. The N, P and K use efficiency was very low, stressing the importance of sowing catch crops in the fall, following the harvest of the potato, in order to minimize environmental impacts mainly associated with residual N.

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