Work

Quantifying the response of goldrush potato to nitrogen on sandy soil

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Optimizing nitrogen (N) application rate is essential for effective N management and requires an understanding of crop growth dynamics, nutrient partitioning, cultivar traits, and soil characteristics. The effects of seven in‐season N rates (37–391 kg N ha −1 ) on dry matter (DM) and N accumulation and partitioning at early‐ and late‐growth stages and tuber yield and quality of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Goldrush grown in the sandy soils of central Wisconsin were evaluated over three growing seasons. The objective was to identify optimal regression models to achieve a sustainable balance between maximizing marketable tuber yield and economic profitability. In‐season N applications improved total N uptake and tuber N concentration but reduced DM and N partitioning to tuber. Yield gains were most consistent between 277 and 295 kg N ha − 1 , with no additional benefit beyond this range. While the quadratic and linear‐plateau models best described total and marketable yield, respectively, model fits were similar, and critical N rates varied by <7%. Relative yield normalization improved model accuracy across years. These findings support model‐based, site‐ and cultivar‐specific N recommendations to improve N use efficiency and the need for broader, multi‐environment datasets to refine predictive models and ensure both agronomic performance and environmental sustainability in potato production systems.

Source: Agronomy Journal

DOI: 10.1002/agj2.70411

Authors: Larissa V. Correia, Rogério P. Soratto, Jaimie R. West, Paulo H. Pagliari, Matthew D. Ruark

Institutions: University of Wisconsin–Madison, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), University of Minnesota

Language: English

Topic: Agricultural Science and Fertilization

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,800