The potato is a highly productive crop with rapid dry matter accumulation over a short period of time. However, it has a high nutrient demand and to ensure successful production, sufficient nutrients need to be supplied by means of a carefully designed fertiliser programme. Due to their shallow, poorly developed root system and fast dry matter accumulation, potatoes have a rapid uptake of more nutrients within a short time compared to most other crops, such as cereals.
For sustainable potato production, nutrient management programmes must therefore be carefully planned and implemented to ensure that production conditions meet crop requirements in an effective manner. Production practices should be both economically and technically viable, but at the same time have little negative impact on the environment.
For more information on the CHIPS article by Prof Martin Steyn and Tlotlisang Nkhase, University of Pretoria, click here.