Growing Potato
Crop Nutrition Advice

Potato plants with healthy leaves

Potatoes harvested in optimum condition

Crop Description

Potato originates in the Andes from the tropical areas of high altitude and grow from sea level up to 4,700 meters above sea level, from southern Chile to Greenland. It requires a well-drained, well-aerated, porous soil with pH ranges from of 5 to 7.5. The crop is moderately sensitive to soil salinity.
The potato crop plays a critical role in global food security. It is a nutrient-rich staple for millions of people worldwide. The crop provides essential nutrients, including carbohydrates, vitamins (such as vitamin C), and minerals (like potassium). It also has a high caloric yield per unit of land and is grown in various climates and terrains, making them accessible to diverse populations.

Potatoes are resilient crops and can withstand adverse conditions like drought, poor soil, and extreme temperatures. This resilience contributes to food security during challenging times.
In terms of affordability, the crop us affordable and accessible to people across income levels. They provide sustenance without straining household budgets.

A reliable potato crop ensures a stable food supply. When other crops fail due to weather or pests, potatoes remain a dependable source of nutrition and thus contribute to food security.
In summary, potato is more than just a side dish—it’s a lifeline for many, supporting global food security.

Global production

Currently (FAOSTAT, 2022), potato crop is farmed on 20 million hectare to produce 365 million mt. While between 2000 and 2022, the cultivated area for potato decreased by 11%, production has increased by 16%, reflecting an overall increase in average yield per hectare of 25%, from 16 to 21 mt/ha.

Crop uses

Potato is used for fresh consumption (2/3 of the harvest), seeds (about 10% of the harvest) and the rest, approx. 25% are used for the processing industry (French fries, crisps) and starch. The preference in quality for each use is different. While for fresh consumption the taste and skin appearance are of utmost importance, starch content (strongly correlated with specific gravity) and fry colour are the important factors for the French fries and crisps industries.

Nutrients role

Nutrients play a key role in potato crop yield and quality, bot both fresh consumption and processing and starch production. Optimal nutrient supply plays an important role in potato crop storage and susceptibility to various disease. The relatively limited root zone along with high production rates per area unit, highlights the need for optimal fertilization program.

Nitrogen plays a crucial role in potato production, impacting both yield and quality. Proper application of nitrogen fertilizer can significantly increase potato yield, however, the optimal response to N fertilizer varies by cultivar (potato variety) and soil type. Excessive nitrogen during later growth stages can lead to excessive vine growth, on the account of tuber development, and can prevent the crop from reaching maturity. Excess nitrogen may reduce starch content and increase acrylamide levels, affecting the quality of processing potatoes. In summary, proper nitrogen management is essential for high tuber yield, good quality, and sustainable potato production.

Phosphorus is crucial for early root and shoot development. During tuber initiation, an adequate supply of phosphorus ensures the formation of optimum numbers of tubers. Phosphorus is essential for the development of healthy and productive potato plants. High phosphorus levels are necessary due to the potato plant’s shallow roots, low root density, minimal root hairs, and high P demand in the shoots. However, excessive phosphorus can lead to imbalances and affect overall crop health.

Potassium plays a crucial role in potato production, impacting yield, quality, and resistance to biotic and a-biotic stress. Potassium plays a key role in nutrient and carbohydrate transport and movement in the plant. It facilitates the movement of carbohydrates from leaves to tubers, ensuring energy supply for growth and development. Adequate potassium contributes to a robust root system and it enhances the plant’s ability to resist diseases, insect attacks, and environmental stresses. Adequate potassium and nitrogen fertilization will increase yields and limit the accumulation of acrylamide in the tubers.

Magnesium increases yield and starch content and helps to reduce susceptibility to soft rot disease during storage.
Sulfur is essential for optimizing amino acid and protein production. Sulfur helps reduce common and powdery scab. It improves skin appearance, boosts disease tolerance, and minimizes internal rust spot.

Calcium is a key component of cell walls, ensuring stability and strength of the tubers. It influences nitrogen uptake, chlorophyll production, and tuber development. Calcium content in the peel affects potato skin appearance, disease tolerance, and minimizes internal rust spot and soft rot during storage. Calcium also reduces skin diseases like black scurf and powdery scab.

Role of nutrients

+ = improving

– = decreasing

+/- = different results, depending on the rate of nutrient applied 

Source: IPI bulletin – Fertilizing for high yield | POTATO 

Nutrient requirements and fertilization

The crop has high demand for nutrients and has a particularly high requirement for potassium – the tubers remove 1.5 times as much potassium as nitrogen and 3 or 4 times the amount of phosphate.

Fertilizer requirements are relatively high and for an irrigated crop they are 80 to 120 kg/ha N, 50 to 80 kg/ha P and 125 to 160 kg/ha K.

Typical nutrient removal rates of potato.
Presented under license from AGMATIX data repository.

Development of nutrient uptake by potato crop
Source: IPI bulletin #8. Fertilizing for high yield | POTATO

Deficiency symptoms

Source: IPI Crop Bulletin #8.

Potassium deficiency in potato leaves. Courtesy IPI (K Gallery).

Literature

1. FAO Land & Water (Potato | Land & Water | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | Land & Water | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (fao.org)
2. IPI Crop Bulletin 8 (pdf (ipipotash.org)
3. Potato Facts & Figures (CIP, Potato Facts and Figures – International Potato Center (cipotato.org)
4. The Importance of Nutrient Management for Potato Production Part I: Plant Nutrition and Yield. Koch et al., 2020. Potato Research 63:97–119.
5. The Potato of the Future: Opportunities and Challenges in Sustainable Agri-food Systems. Devaux et al. 2021. Potato Research 64:681–720. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-021-09501-4

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