Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 1-15 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 2 2 Nutrient Requirements for Potato Crops 2.1 Key macronutrients (N, P, K) necessary for potato growth Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for potato growth, playing a critical role in leaf development, protein synthesis, and photosynthesis. As shown in Figure 1, different nitrogen application rates significantly affect the tuber yield of various potato cultivars across locations. For example, the Atlantic cultivar grown in Minas Gerais (MG) shows a marked response to nitrogen, with yield peaking around 150 kg/ha of nitrogen and then leveling off. Similarly, the Ágata cultivar, grown in both Minas Gerais and Bahia (BA), also shows increased yields with nitrogen application, though the yield response curve varies slightly by location, reflecting the influence of environmental factors on nitrogen efficiency. For example, in Deqing Zhejiang, the yield of potato should reach more than 45 t/ha, and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be as high as 300 kg/ha, which is related to the low level of local soil fertility and more rainfall in the growing season, which takes away more nitrogen fertilizer.These findings highlight the importance of nitrogen management: adequate nitrogen increases chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency, thereby boosting yield. However, excessive nitrogen can lead to excessive vegetative growth, delaying tuber formation and affecting tuber quality and storage capacity. Therefore, the proper timing and amount of nitrogen application are crucial to maximize its benefits and avoid negative impacts. Conversely, insufficient nitrogen can cause leaf yellowing and stunted growth, ultimately reducing yield and tuber quality (Madhumathi et al., 2020). Figure 1 Total yield of potato tubers of cultivars (A) Atlantic and (B) Ágata (B) grown in Unaí, Minas Gerais, and (C) Ágata grown in Mucugê, Bahia, under different N rates (Adapted from Madhumathi et al., 2020) Image caption: This figure shows the total yield of potato tubers from two cultivars, "Atlantic" and "Ágata," grown under varying nitrogen (N) application rates in two locations: Unaí, Minas Gerais, and Mucugê, Bahia. Nitrogen rates positively influence yield up to a certain level, with slight location- and cultivar-specific differences in the response curves (Adapted from Madhumathi et al., 2020) Phosphorus (P) is essential for the development of the root system, particularly during the early stages of potato growth, and for energy transfer during tuber formation. Phosphorus helps in cell division and is vital for nucleic acid synthesis, contributing to tuber size and quality. Adequate phosphorus levels support better root establishment and tuber bulking, increasing both the size and number of tubers (Torabian et al., 2021). Insufficient phosphorus supply can delay tuberization and result in smaller, lower-quality tubers. Therefore, it is essential to assess soil phosphorus levels early in the growing season and apply phosphorus fertilizers accordingly. Potassium (K) is essential for enhancing the stress resistance of potato plants and improving tuber quality. Increased soil potassium content significantly affects tuber yield across soils with varying organic matter levels. Potassium regulates water metabolism within the plant and aids in carbohydrate metabolism, which increases tuber dry matter content and specific gravity, thereby enhancing cooking quality and storage life. Additionally,
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