--- 资料来源：http://www.haifa-group.com/knowledge_center/crop_guides/potato/ --- # Potato crop guide: How to grow potatoes and get optimum yields 马铃薯指南：如何种植并高产 Recommended soil types for growing potatoes, special sensitivities, nutritional requirements and fertilization recommendations for various fertilizers – Find all there is to know about growing potatoes in Haifa's complete crop guide. 海法庄稼指南 Growing potatoes and getting high yield of quality crop requires knowledge and expertise. Haifa's potato crop guide provides profound and practical knowledge gathered over decades of field experience that will greatly assist you in achieving optimal plant nutrition and obtaining excellent results in the field. 十年经验助你高产 Here are just few of the facts, tips and knowledge you will find in this thorough crop guide: 几条经验 The potato ranks as the world's fourth most important food crop, after maize, wheat and rice. 世界四大粮食：玉米、小麦、水稻、马铃薯 * Since potatoes are sensitive to the chloride anion, it is essential to use chloride-free fertilizers, which contribute to increased yield and quality. 马铃薯对氯离子敏感，要用无氯肥料。 * Potato growth is classified into five distinct growth phases, and each growth stage has to be considered when managing the crop. 马铃薯生长期可以分为五个阶段 * The highest requirement for potassium is during the bulking up stage of the tubers. The flowering of potato plants indicates the beginning of this morphological stage. 最需要钾（K）的时候，是膨大期。开花就是它的象征。 * Adequate control over Nitrogen (N) supply is highly important to obtain high yields of excellent quality potatoes. 控氮（N）赢全局 * Calcium deficiency interferes with root growth, causes deformation of foliage growth tips, and may result in reduced yields and poor quality. 缺钙影响根生长，导致叶片，从而低产 # General growing conditions ## 1.1 The plant The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an herbaceous annual that grows up to 100 cm (40 inches) tall and produces tubers, which are botanically thickened stems that are so rich in starch that they rank as the world's fourth most important food crop, after maize, wheat and rice. The potato belongs to the Solanaceae, and shares the genus Solanum with at least 1,000 other species, including tomato and eggplant. S. tuberosum is divided into two, only slightly different, subspecies: andigena, which is adapted to short day conditions and is mainly grown in the Andes, and tuberosum, the potato now cultivated around the world, which is believed to descend from a small introduction to Europe of andigena potatoes that later adapted to longer day conditions.  Figure 1: A scheme of the potato plant ## 1.2 Soil type and pH Potatoes will grow on most soils, organic as well as mineral ones. But, light and medium texture soils are recommended where mechanical harvesting is practiced, to avoid difficulties in harvesting when weather conditions are adverse at harvest time. Lowest possible soil pH is 5.5. Soil pH below 4.8 generally results in impaired growth. Too alkaline conditions can adversely affect skin quality and can induce micronutrients deficiencies. ## 1.3 Special sensitivities of the potato plant 1.3.1 Chloride Potatoes are sensitive to the chloride anion. Chloride damage is manifested by scorching of the leaf tips and margins, and leaves yellowing and distortion. Fertilization with chloride-free fertilizers will, therefore, contribute to increased yields and to the improvement of their quality. 1.3.2 Boron deficiency “Hollow Heart”, by comparison, is characterized by formation of a cavity near the tuber centre, without any external indication of this syndrome. It is the result of soil boron deficiency. Rapid growth of the tuber, sometimes due to too low plant density, may cause this syndrome, too. 缺硼，“空心”。 1.3.3 Storage conditions “Black heart” symptom of potatoes is caused by a limited supply of oxygen to the tubers during their storage, and cannot be alleviated by improved growth conditions. 仓储的时候，氧气不足会导致“黑心”。 ## 1.4 Irrigation During the early growth phase, until tuber formation, it is essential to keep the soil constantly and uniformly wet to a depth of at least 10-15cm. The frequency of irrigation cycles during this period should be determined according to the specific soil type and climate conditions. 头个生长阶段。泥土湿润10-15cm。防水都要看泥土类型和天气条件。 During the second growth phase, during tuber development, irrigation will be less frequent and applied once every 3-5 days. This allows efficient root respiration and intensifying growth rate. Potatoes can be irrigated almost until harvest. 第二个生长阶段，块茎发育期，灌溉频率下降到3-5天一次。这样有助于根部有效地呼吸和加强生长速度。灌溉能贯穿整个马铃薯生长期。 Irrigation at tuber initiation can affect the skin quality of daughter tubers by influencing phytopathogens, either favorably or adversely, according to conditions, and moisture rate present. A monitored drip system equipped with a Nutrigation™ (fertigation) device is the preferable method of irrigation (Fig. 2)  Figure 2: Drip-irrigated potato field in southern Israel 以色列南部的滴灌 ## 1.5 Crop uses Potatoes are consumed fresh, and are being processed to chips and crisps. Potatoes are also used for the production of starch. Selected plots are grown for seed production. Potatoes grown for processing are valued for yield, size, shape, and mainly for dry matter content (measured by specific gravity). As the specific gravity increases, the water content of the potato decreases, improving the frying properties and flavor. Management factors, including plant nutrition treatments, will influence potato yield, quality, and storage properties. ## 1.6 Crop growth stages Potato growth is classified into five distinct growth phases (Fig. 3). The exact timing of these growth phases depends on many environmental and management factors that vary between locations and cultivars. However, these distinct stages of growth need to be considered when managing the crop.  Figure 3: Main stages of growth and development of potatoes The nutritional requirements of the developing potato change during the growing season. ### Stage I Sprout development Sprout develops from eyes on seed tubers and grows upward to emerge from the soil. Roots begin to develop at the base of emerging sprouts. ### 1. 芽条生长期 种薯播种后，从萌发开始，经历芽条生长、根系形成，至幼苗出土为芽条生长期。该生长期是以根系和芽生长为中心，持续时间差异较大，短者一个月左右，长者可达数月之久。这期农作物措施关键是能把种薯的养分、水分及内源激素调动起来，促进早发芽，多发根、快出芽、出壮苗。 ### Stage II Vegetative growth Leaves and brunch stems develop from aboveground nodes along emerged sprouts. Roots and stolons develop at below-ground nodes. Photosynthesis begins. ### 2. 幼苗期 从幼苗出土，经历根系发育、主茎孕苗期。由于马铃薯种薯内含有丰富营养和水分，在出苗前便形成了相当数量的根系和胚叶。出苗后根系继续扩展，茎叶生长迅速，多数品种在出苗后7～10天匍匐茎伸长，5～10天顶端开始膨大；同时顶端第一花序开始孕育花蕾，侧枝开始发生。此期的生长中心是茎叶与块茎的生长。 ### Stage III Tuber initiation Tubers form at stolon tips but are not yet appreciably enlarging. In most cultivars the end of this stage coincides with early flowering. ### 3. 块茎形成期 从块茎具有雏形开始，经历地上茎顶端封顶叶展开、第一花序开始开花、全株匍匐茎顶端均开始膨大、直到最大块茎直径达3～4厘米、地下上部茎叶干物重和块茎干物重平衡为止，为块茎形成期。本期是决定单株结薯数的关键时期，一般经历30天左右，农作措施以水肥促进茎叶生长，迅速建成同化体系，同时中耕结合培土为茎膨大创造条件。 ### Stage IV Tuber bulking Tuber cells expand with the accumulation of water, nutrients, and carbohydrates. Tubers become the dominant site for deposition of carbohydrates and mobile inorganic nutrients. ### 4. 块茎增长期 从地上部与地下部干物重平衡开始，即进入块茎增长时期，此期叶面积已达最大值，茎叶生长逐渐缓慢并停止；地上部制造的养分不断向块茎输送，块茎的体积重量不断增长，是决定块茎体积大小的关键时期。 ### Stage V Maturation Vines turn yellow and lose leaves, photo-synthesis decreases, tuber growth slows, and vines eventually die. Tuber dry matter content reaches a maximum and tuber skins set. ### 5. 淀粉积累期 从茎叶开始逐渐衰老，到块茎体积和重量继续增加。该期生长特点是地上部向块茎中转运碳水化合物、蛋白质和灰分，块茎日增重达最大值。淀粉的积累一直延续到茎叶全部枯死之前，农作物措施主要是昼保持根、茎、叶减缓衰亡，加速同化物向块茎中转移成熟期，收获期决定于生产目的和轮作中的要求。一般当植物地上部茎叶黄枯，茎块内淀粉积累充分时，即为成熟收获期。 # Nutritional requirements ## 2.1 Nutrient uptake curves Nutrients uptake is at its greatest during tuber bulking up (intensive volume increase process). The amount of nutrients removed by a potato crop is closely related to yield. Usually, twice the yield will result twice the removal of nutrients. Nutrients need to be applied as accurately as possible to the zone of uptake, slightly before, or at the time that the crop needs them. Failure to ensure that each plant gets the right balance of nutrients can spoil crop quality and reduce yield. The highest requirement for potassium, as shown on Figure 4, is during the bulking up stage of the tubers. The flowering of potato plants is an indication when this morphological stage starts. Consequently, the ideal side-dressing period with Multi-K™ would be during the tuber bulking stage. Figure 4: Uptake of macronutrient uptake by a whole potato plant Source: Harris (1978)  The daily requirements of potato tubers during the critical bulking stage are 4.5 kg/ha N, 0.3 kg/ha P and 6.0 kg/ha K. Potassium requirements of potato tubers during the bulking stage are very high as they are considered to be luxury consumers of potassium. Daily yield increase during the critical tuber bulking stage can reach 1000 - 1500 kg/ha/day. Therefore, it is important to supply the required plant nutrients during the tuber bulking stage in right N-P-K ratio and in ample quantities. Figure 5: Uptake of macro and secondary nutrients by vines and tubers of potato plants yielding 55 ton/ha Source: Reiz, 1991  Figure 6: Uptake of micro-nutrients by vines and tubers of potato plants yielding 55 ton/ha  2.2 Main functions of plant nutrients Table 1: Summary of main functions of plant nutrients | Nutrient | Functions | | --- | --- | | Nitrogen (N) | Synthesis of proteins (growth and yield).生长与发育 | | Phosphorus (P) | Cellular division and formation of energetic structures.细胞分裂、分化 | | Potassium (K) | Transport of sugars, stomata control, cofactor of many enzymes, reduces susceptibility to plant diseases. 糖分转移、气孔、酶、增强免疫力 | | Calcium (Ca) | A major building block in cell walls, and reduces susceptibility to diseases. 细胞壁 | | Sulfur (S) | Synthesis of essential amino acids cystine and methionine. | | Magnesium (Mg) | Central part of chlorophyll molecule. 叶绿素 | | Iron (Fe) | Chlorophyll synthesis. 叶绿素 | | Manganese (Mn) | Necessary in the photosynthesis process. | | Boron (B) | Formation of cell wall. Germination and elongation of pollen tube.Participates in the metabolism and transport of sugars. | | Zinc (Zn) | Auxins synthesis. | | Copper (Cu) | Influences in the metabolism of nitrogen and carbohydrates. | | Molybdenum (Mo) | Component of nitrate-reductase and nitrogenase enzymes. | # Fertilization recommendations