Critical dilution curves for calcium, magnesium, and sulfur in potato (Solanum tuberosum L. Group Andigenum) cultivars Diacol Capiro and Pastusa Suprema

Abstract

Diagnostic tools must be developed to optimize the management of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) in potato crops. This research aimed to develop the critical dilution curves for Ca, Mg, and S in potato (Solanum tuberosum L. Group Andigenum), establishing harvest indices and characterizing the nutrient relationships. Four field experiments were established in two growth cycles in the localities of Facatativá (high fertility soils) and Chocontá (low fertility soils) in Colombia. Two cultivars (Diacol Capiro and Pastusa Suprema) and two levels of fertilization (0 and 100% of macro and micronutrients) were evaluated. The dry biomass and Ca, Mg, and S concentration in tubers and aerial parts were measured from the formation of main stems until tuber maturation; this information was used to calculate the critical concentrations (Cac, Mgc, Sc), harvest indices, and nutrient correlations. The critical curves established were for Capiro: Cac = 1.7326W-0.2956, Mgc = 0.7191W-0.2803, Sc = 0.6461W-0.3904 and for Suprema: Cac = 1.523W-0.2559, Mgc = 0.6507W-0.236, Sc = 0.7669W-0.3932. Critical levels were established for five phenological stages. Capiro had a higher accumulation of Ca, Mg, and S in the tubers independently of locality, while Suprema had better performance in Chocontá. The accumulation of mineral nutrients in the tubers followed the order Ca<Mg<S. Capiro was a genotype with greater Ca-Mg-S uptake and better adaptation to locations. The Cac, Mgc and Sc curves provided a tool to carry out the nutritional diagnoses at critical stages of development and they are the first ones reported for potato of Group Andigenum.

Keywords

• nutrient concentration
• nutrient diagnostics
• nutrient harvest index
• secondary macronutrients