Soil Surfactant Increases Nutrient Use Efficiency and Yield of Potato Grown on Sandy Soil in Florida

The acreage of tomatoes grown in Florida is 35,000 acres and the total yearly value is more than $160 million. Florida potatoes are grown primarily in sandy soils, which have low water-holding capacity and high nutrient leaching due to its coarse sized particles. Soil surfactant is a surface-active substance with both hydrophilic (water-loving) and lipophilic (fat-loving) properties like soaps and detergents. These amphiphilic properties can significantly improve soil quality, reduce water repellency, and increase the capacity for holding water and nutrients in sandy soil. The objectives of this research were to: (1) evaluate the effect of a surfactant on nutrient use efficiency and (2) assess the yield enhancement of the surfactant on potatoes grown in sandy soil. Nutrient use efficiency (lb lb^-1) was defined as potato yield increment per pound of applied nutrients. The results from this study will include that plant growth, leaf greenness, yield, and nutrient use efficiency of the tested potato cultivars, ‘Atlantic’ and ‘Red LaSoda’.