2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Phosphorus (P) is essential for potato growth and development and important for potato production. To optimize P application rates for potato production, this study was conducted with ‘Atlantic’ at UF/IFAS Hastings Agricultural Extension Center, Hastings, Florida. Six P rates were used including, 0, 45, 90, 134, 179, and 224 kg/ha phosphorus pentoxide. Randomized complete block design was employed with four replications. The plot size was 12.19 m × 4.06 m with 4 rows. Potato was planted on February 19 and harvested on May 28, 2015. The central 2.10 m of the two middle rows were harvested for tuber yield and quality measurements. Soil pH dynamics was monitored. P fractionation was completed. The results indicated that soil pH was in a range from pH 4.9 to pH 5.8. Soil active aluminum content was up to 780 kg/ha. This high activity of soil aluminum tied up phosphate and minimized P bioavailability for the potato plants. It is imperative for us to find a way to adsorb or minimize the activity of soil aluminum ions in order to enhance soil P bioavailability and sustainability of potato production.