Awad, E., Emam, M., Shall, Z. (2010). THE INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR SPRAYING WITH NUTRINTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND STORABILITY OF POTATO TUBERS. Journal of Plant Production, 1(10), 1313-1325. doi: 10.21608/jpp.2010.86582
El. M. M. Awad; M. S. Emam; Z. S. El. Shall. "THE INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR SPRAYING WITH NUTRINTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND STORABILITY OF POTATO TUBERS". Journal of Plant Production, 1, 10, 2010, 1313-1325. doi: 10.21608/jpp.2010.86582
Awad, E., Emam, M., Shall, Z. (2010). 'THE INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR SPRAYING WITH NUTRINTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND STORABILITY OF POTATO TUBERS', Journal of Plant Production, 1(10), pp. 1313-1325. doi: 10.21608/jpp.2010.86582
Awad, E., Emam, M., Shall, Z. THE INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR SPRAYING WITH NUTRINTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND STORABILITY OF POTATO TUBERS. Journal of Plant Production, 2010; 1(10): 1313-1325. doi: 10.21608/jpp.2010.86582
THE INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR SPRAYING WITH NUTRINTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND STORABILITY OF POTATO TUBERS
Horti. Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
Abstract
The field trial was conducted during the two spring plantation seasons of 2007/2008 on potato cv. Spunta at Abou Awad villiage, Aga, Dakahlia Governorate. The current study aimed to study the effect of foliar spraying with nutrients on growth, yield and storability of potato tubers. The treatments were phosphoric acid (2.5 ml/l), potassium sulphate (1%), calcium chloride (0.25%), iron (75 ppm), manganese (Mn 75 ppm), zinc (Zn 75 ppm), boric acid (50 ppm) and mixture of Fe, Zn and Mn each at 75 ppm as well as check.
Results showed that the vegetative growth parameters, i.e., plant height, number of main stems/plant, chlorophyll content, foliage fresh and dry weight/plant, at 80 days after planting, likewise, total yield, tuber number and tuber dry weight per plant at harvest time gave the highest values with foliar application the micronutrient mixture of Fe, Zn and Mn as well as potassium sulphate in the two seasons of study.
Potato tubers of all the treatments were stored at 8 – 10°C and 85% relative humidity to evaluate their behavior during the storage. The results revealed that foliar spraying with potassium, mixture of Fe, Zn and Mn or calcium had positive effects on reducing weight loss and sprouting percentage during the storage period. Dry matter and starch content were significantly higher in tuber of plants treated with Fe, Zn and Mn or Mn than in the control treatment. Meanwhile, specific gravity was not affected by foliar spraying with the tested nutrient elements.
Significant increase in weight loss and sprouting due to extending period were evident. Dry matter and starch content increased up till 30 days of storage then declined afterward, specific gravity was not significantly changed during storage.