The potato – you can find it in almost every kitchen. Hardly any other food can be used in so many different ways, whether as baked potatoes, dumplings or mashed potato. As a popular staple, however, this tuberous plant has only been intensively cultivated and harvested in Germany since the 18th century. But how do you successfully grow potatoes, and is fall fertilization using manure an option?
The potato - a versatile tuber
Even though the potato is usually referred to as a vegetable, the tuber is an agricultural crop that belongs to the nightshade family. Depending on the region where it is grown, the potato comes in a wide variety of varieties and is always a reliable and balanced source of nutrition. It contains a mixture of valuable nutrients such as vitamin B, protein and fiber, as well as important carbohydrates.
How the potato grows best
For a potato to grow optimally, it is essential to ensure the correct supply of nitrogen. Nitrogen is not absorbed via the tuber, but mainly via the flower. Subsequently, the nutrients that have been absorbed through the soil are transported to the tuber or allow it to grow.
To ensure that the potato plants receive enough nitrogen, they are mostly treated with mineral fertilizers to supply the plants with 150 to 200 kg/ha N, depending on the target value. In addition to nitrogen, the following nutrients are also particularly important for potatoes to thrive.
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Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most important nutrients for the potato plant. However, magnesium washes out easily and is therefore not always constant in the crop. So, in order for the potato to receive an optimal magnesium supply, a soil analysis is necessary, which will establish the magnesium and lime content. This is the only way to calculate the individual magnesium requirement, which should be precisely matched to the respective location. Potash and ammonium inhibit magnesium uptake, so this should be taken into account when calculating the appropriate amount of magnesium fertilizer.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is an important basic nutrient of the potato. Farmers who grow potatoes can achieve a particularly good setting of the potato tuber with an optimal phosphate supply.
Potassium
Phosphorus is an important basic nutrient of the potato. Farmers who grow potatoes can achieve a particularly good setting of the potato tuber with an optimal phosphate supply.d
Does fertilizing in the fall with slurry work?
Organic fertilizer is a much-discussed low-cost alternative to provide potatoes with essential nutrients, but one that should be looked at more closely. In order for an organic fertilization with slurry to be effective, it should only be done in the fall. At this time, the potato needs the most nutrients. In addition, it is essential that the soil and weather conditions are optimal, so that an optimal nitrogen availability of the liquid manure is achieved. The fall provides the best conditions for this. Nevertheless, the application date should be chosen very precisely so that the nitrogen release occurs at the right time and results in the highest possible quality of the potato.
Moreover, fertilizers should only be applied when the soil conditions ensure the desired starch content of your potatoes. Organic fertilizers such as slurry contain chlorides and minimize starch retention in the tuber. If all of these conditions are met, even improved N efficiency can be achieved.
Fertilization in the fall as an economical alternative
Organic fertilizer can be an economical alternative to mineral fertilizer, depending on the initial situation. However, in order for your plants to thrive, it is important to take a closer look at your individual situation. What are the soil conditions in your field and what weather conditions characterize your growing region? If your soil is sandy and your potatoes have been very starchy in the past, then fertilization in the fall is a promising alternative.
Do you need further information on slurry application? Then please contact our customer service – we look forward to your inquiry and will be happy to assist you with our expertise.
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