Gh. Clough, POTATO-TUBER YIELD, MINERAL CONCENTRATION, AND QUALITY AFTER CALCIUM FERTILIZATION, Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 119(2), 1994, pp. 175-179
In a 3-year study on a fine sandy loam soil, 'Atlantic' (1989), 'Front
ier' (1990-91), and 'Russet Burbank' (1989-91) potato (Solanum tuberos
um L.) response to rate and time of Ca fertilization was evaluated. Ca
lcium was applied preplant at 0, 90, 180, and 270 kg.ha(-1) as CaSO4 a
nd side-dressed at 0, 34, and 68 kg.ha(-1) as Ca(NO3)(2), with treatme
nts combined in a complete factorial. Preplant Ca fertilization increa
sed soil Ca concentration each year. Calcium fertilization did not aff
ect tuber yield or grade distribution. Tuber concentrations of P, K, a
nd Ca in 'Russet Burbank', Ca in 'Frontier', and S in all cultivars in
creased with increasing preplant Ca rate. 'Russet Burbank' tuber P, K,
Ca, and Cu concentrations and 'Frontier' tuber S concentration increa
sed as side dressed Ca rate increased. Tuber concentrations of most nu
trients decreased bet between midseason and harvest. The incidence of
internal brown spot (IBS) was very low in 'Atlantic' and 'Russet Burl;
ank' tubers and was reduced in 'Atlantic' by preplant Ca application.
In 1990, IBS severity and incidence in 'Frontier' were reduced by prep
lant and side dressed Ca fertilization. In 1991, after 4 months of sto
rage at 7C, severity and percentage of tubers with IBS were reduced by
preplant and side-dressed Ca fertilization. During storage, IBS decre
ased in 'Russet Burbank'. Brown center in 'Russet Burbank' decreased a
s side-dressed Ca rate increased. In 1990, 'Russet Burbank' french-fry
color improved as preplant Ca rate increased.