{ "id": 5693, "date": "2022-11-08T09:10:16", "date_gmt": "2022-11-08T09:10:16", "guid": { "rendered": "https:\/\/dekagro.gr\/?page_id=5693" }, "modified": "2025-12-22T09:13:16", "modified_gmt": "2025-12-22T09:13:16", "slug": "potato-fertilization-guide", "status": "publish", "type": "page", "link": "https:\/\/www.dekagro.gr\/en\/fertilization\/potato-fertilization-guide\/", "title": { "rendered": "Potato fertilization guide" }, "content": { "rendered": "
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Potato
fertilization guide<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Potato fertilization guide<\/div>\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\nPotato Leaflet<\/i> <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSoil requirements<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Potatoes thrive in deep and fertile soils of medium and fine texture, with adequate drainage and ventilation. Sandy loam to slit loam soils with an abundance of organic matter are considered ideal for high yields and quality produce.<\/p>

Poor sandy soils which do not retain sufficient moisture are ideal for early varieties, but have high fertilization and irrigation requirements.<\/p>

With regard to acidity, crops develop without any particular issues in soils with a pH between 4.5 – 7.5, the ideal range being between 5.5 – 6.<\/p>

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Compared to other crops, potatoes have a characteristically high production of plant mass in a short period of time.<\/p>

In order to achieve high yields, sufficient nutrients are necessary throughout the biological cycle of the crop. Potatoes have increased nutritional requirement so as to fully cover the growth of the roots and shoots, as well as the formation and augmentation of the tubers.<\/p>

Annual nutritional needs to produce 5 tons of potatoes (kg\/ha.)<\/th><\/tr>
Type<\/th>Nitrogen

(N)<\/th>		Phosphorus

(P2<\/span>O5<\/span>)<\/th>		Potassium

(K2<\/span>O)<\/th>		Magnesium

(MgO)<\/th>		Sulfur

(S)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Underground<\/td>70<\/td>36<\/td>110<\/td>25<\/td>15<\/td><\/tr>
Overground<\/td>180<\/td>84<\/td>260<\/td>45<\/td>25<\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/td>250<\/td>120<\/td>370<\/td>70<\/td>40<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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From sprouting to the onset of tuber formation<\/h3>

\"\u0391\u03c0\u03cc<\/p>

Immediately after sprouting, the shoots and leaves develop on the above-ground part of the plant, while the roots and stolons develop in the soil, where the tubers will be formed on the latter.<\/p>

During this stage, the primary goal is the formation of a rich and robust root system, which will supply the plant with nutrients and water and meet the high nutritional requirements of the tubers, at the later stages of cultivation.<\/p>

At this stage, the goal is the earliest possible growth of a rich leaf area, which will allow for the production of abundant nutrients, which will in turn migrate to the stolons and form the tubers.<\/p>

The nutritional state of the crop at this stage has a determining effect on the onset of tuber formation and the final produce.<\/p>

(N)<\/span>\u00a0– Nitrogen<\/strong> stimulates rapid growth, increases the number of leaves, and boosts their photosynthetic activity. An excessive supply of Nitrogen should be avoided at this stage, because it leads to excessive vegetative growth, whilst delaying the onset of tuber formation and reducing the production.<\/p>

(P)<\/span>\u00a0– Phosphorus<\/strong> is the most significant nutrient during this period. It boosts the growth of the root system and leads to early sprouting. An adequate supply of the crop with Phosphorus speeds up the onset of tuber formation and increases the yields.<\/p>

(\u039a)<\/span>\u00a0– Potassium<\/strong> boosts the growth of the roots and leaves and regulates the water balance inside the plant, protecting the crop from diseases and adverse weather conditions.<\/p>

(Ca\/Mg)<\/span>\u00a0– Calcium<\/strong> is required for the growth of the roots, the leaves, and the developing tissue, and helps the plant to overcome any environmental stress. Magnesium increases photosynthesis, contributes to the production of carbohydrates, and boosts their migration to the stolons so that the tubers can form.<\/p><\/div>

From onset to completion of tuber formation<\/h3>

\"\u0391\u03c0\u03cc<\/p>

The process of tuber formation begins at this time. The products of photosynthesis on the leaves migrate to the stolons, whose ends begin to enlarge.<\/p>

(\u039d)<\/span>\u00a0– Nitrogen<\/strong> sustains the strong photosynthetic activity of the leaves, which is required for the formation of the tubers. Adding Nitrogen during the process of tuber formation should be avoided, as it prolongs it at the expense of production, and reduces the number of stolons which will develop into tubers.<\/p>

(P)<\/span>\u00a0– Phosphorus<\/strong> affects tuber formation more than any other nutrient. It is the key element which determines the number of tubers which will form and continue to grow.<\/p>

(\u039a), (Mg)<\/span>\u00a0– Potassium<\/strong> and Magnesium<\/strong> improve the photosynthetic capacity of the leaves and increase the production of carbohydrates, as well as participate in the migration of the latter to the forming tubers.<\/p><\/div>

From the beginning of tuber growth to their final size<\/h3>

\"\u0391\u03c0\u03cc<\/p>

At this stage, the proteins and carbohydrates produced in the leaves, water, and a number of inorganic nutrients which are already found in the plant, as well as those taken up from the soil, migrate to the tubers and boost their size and weight increase.<\/p>

At this particular stage, potatoes exhibit their highest requirements in nutrients and water than at any other stage.<\/p>

(\u039d)<\/span>\u00a0– Nitrogen<\/strong> contributes significantly to the growth of the tubers. It takes part in the production of proteins which are stored in the tubers, and it also extends the lifespan of the leaves, which constitute the main source of nutrition for the tubers.<\/p>

(P)<\/span>\u00a0– During this time of filling, Phosphorus<\/strong> has a determining effect on the final size of the tubers. It takes part in the production of storage substances in the above-ground part of the plant, while various quantities of Phosphorus migrate from the plants to the tubers.<\/p>

(\u039a)<\/span>\u00a0– During the tuber growth phase, Potassium<\/strong> is the element absorbed at the fastest rate and in the largest quantities by the crop. It contributes to the production of carbohydrates in the leaves and their migration to the tubers. Adequate supply of Potassium during this period is decisive for the height and quality of the final produce.<\/p>

(Mg\/Ca)<\/span>\u00a0– Magnesium<\/strong> and Calcium<\/strong> have a determining effect on the development of the tubers. Magnesium increases photosynthetic activity and boosts the migration of carbohydrates to the tubers. Calcium contributes to the proper formation of the tubers, protects them from natural problems, and promotes the healthy development of the skin.<\/p><\/div>

From tuber filling to harvest<\/h3>

\"\u0391\u03c0\u03cc<\/p>

At this stage, the tubers have reached their full size, and they continue to increase in weight until harvest by accumulating large quantities of starch.<\/p>

During this period, Nitrogen (\u039d) quantities should remain in low levels. Too much Nitrogen at this stage will increase the percentage of proteins, delay the production, and lower the quality of the tubers. On the contrary, an adequate supply of Potassium (\u039a) will increase starch accumulation in the tubers, optimize their qualitative characteristics, and \u2013 combined with Phosphorus (P) \u2013 improve the quality and thickness of the skin and prolong storability post-harvest.<\/p>

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The goal is to fulfill the requirements in those nutrients which are necessary for the development of a robust and rich root system, and for adequate and early sprouting which will promote tuber formation.<\/p>

It is crucial that the Phosphorus<\/strong> and Potassium<\/strong> quantities provided during basic fertilization cover at least 2\/3 of the overall requirements, as these nutrients must be available to the crop early on, in order for it to produce high yields. On the contrary, Nitrogen<\/strong> supply should not exceed 30 – 40% of the overall requirements of the crop during basic fertilization.<\/p>

The supply at this stage is:
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