OVERVIEW
- Potassium (K) and boron (B) are key components of a potato nutrition program.
- Deficiencies of both K and B are often observed in coarse, well-drained, sandy soils.
- Boron is crucial for promoting tuber yield, internal quality and storability.
- Research has shown that K fertilizers containing micronutrients in a single granule provide improved nutrient distribution and increased crop nutrient uptake compared to conventional fertilizer blends.
- Aspire® premium potash combines K and B in each granule to help achieve uniform nutrient distribution.
TRIAL DETAILS
Locations and Crop Management:
Crop: Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Years: 2016-2017
Locations: 2 trials – 1 trial per year in NC
Data Source: Field studies conducted by a third-party independent contractor.
Experimental Design: Small-plot RCBD with 4 replications
Soil Type: Loamy sand
Cultivar: Atlantic
Cropping Conditions: Nitrogen and phosphorus were applied to the entire trial.
K Rate: 180 lbs K₂O/ac applied as MOP or Aspire
B Rate: 1.0 or 1.5 lbs B/ac applied as Aspire®. To achieve 180 lbs K₂O/ac, MOP was added to the Aspire® (1.0 lb B/ac) treatment.
Application Method: Preplant broadcast incorporated
Marketable Yield: Size A (>1 ⁷⁄ ⁸in) + Size B (1 ¹⁄²–1 ⁷⁄ ⁸ in)
RESULTS
SUMMARY
- The trials were responsive to both K and B.
- Marketable yield with MOP was 59 cwt/ac (26.6%) higher than the control.
- Aspire® (1.0 lb B/ac) increased marketable yield over MOP by 32 cwt/ac.
- Aspire® (1.5 lbs B/ac) increased marketable yield over MOP by 36 cwt/ac.
- Higher yields were achieved using the Aspire® treatment, demonstrating the benefits of B and uniform nutrient distribution of this micronutrient.
