Evaluation of nitrogen supply rate measured by in situ placement of Plant Root Simulator probes as a predictor of nitrogen supply from soil and organic amendments in potato crop

M. Sharifi^1,*, D. H. Lynch¹, B. J. Zebarth², Z. Zheng¹ and R. C. Martin³

Abstract
Nitrogen (N) supply from organic sources to the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop is difficult to predict and to synchronize with crop demand. In this study, Plant Root Simulator (PRS) probes were evaluated as a tool for prediction of N supply from two rates (300 vs. 600 kg N ha-1) of either a hog manure-sawdust compost (HMC) or a pelletized dehydrated poultry manure (NW) in Atlantic Canada.

The cumulative PRS mineral N supply rate (PRS-N) measured for the period of 31 days after planting (DAP), soil mineral N at 10 DAP and soil NO3-N at 31 DAP were closely related to plant N uptake (PNU) (r = 0.77, 0.71 and 0.73, respectively; P < 0.001) and PNU plus soil mineral N to 30 cm depth at tuber harvest (PNU+SMNh) (r = 0.77, 0.81 and 0.74, respectively; P < 0.001).

The supply N from organic sources to potato crop can be predicted by PRS-N early in the growing season.


Source
American Journal of Potato Research (2009) 86: 356-366


Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, PO Box 550, Truro, NS, B2N 5E3, Canada
(2) Potato Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, PO Box 20280, Fredericton, NB, E3B 4Z7, Canada
(3) Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, PO Box 550, Truro, NS, B2N 5E3, Canada


Posted March 2009