Potato nutrient requirements

Potato nutrient requirements vary depending on the crop growth stage. Find out which nutrients are most important at different growth stages.

Planting

Nitrogen and Potassium - early growth and dry matter
Phosphate - more tubers, growth and dry matter
Magnesium - for plant development
Zinc and Manganese - Powdery and Common Scab control
Sulphur - Common and Powdery Scab and tuber numbers

Before tuber initiation (Hook stage)

Phosphate - more tubers, stronger growth

Tuber initiation

Phosphate and Magnesium - bigger tubers
Zinc and Manganese – skin finish
Calcium (+/- Boron) – good skin quality, internal rust spot reduction, stress tolerance – drought/heat

Flowering and bulking

Nitrogen, Phosphate and Magnesium - maintain tuber growth
Calcium – improves skin finish and reduces disease impact

Recommended Yara fertilisers for potatoes

MAINCROP S
14-5.7-17.4 + 2.2% S - A quality size matched NPK plus S size matched blended fertiliser, ideal for use for potato production due to the ratio in the of N P and K whilst including a useful amount of sulphur.
YaraLiva TROPICOTE
15.5% N + 18.8% Ca - Granular calcium nitrate fertiliser for field application to a wide range of crops.
YaraMila COMPLEX
12-4.8-14.9 + 8% S - Prilled NPK fertiliser which also contains magnesium and sulphur as well as micronutrients ideal for use on a wide range of arable and horticultural crops.
YaraVita MANTRAC PRO
A flowable liquid micronutrient fertiliser containing 500 g/l of manganese for application as a foliar spray or seed treatment to a wide range of crops to treat or prevent manganese deficiency.
YaraVita MAGPHOS K
A liquid fertiliser containing a high concentration of phosphate together with potash and magnesium for foliar application to potatoes and other crops.
YaraVita MAGFLO 300
A flowable liquid fertiliser containing 300 g/l magnesium for foliar application to cereals and potatoes or treat magnesium deficiency in a wide range of crops.
YaraVita CROPLIFT PRO
A foliar fertiliser containing multiple nutrients and micronutrients for foliar application to a wide range of crops during times of stress or periods of rapid growth.
See all fertilisers products

Related articles

Potato nutritional summary

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A correct balance between macronutrients and micronutrients is essential to obtain the best results possible from potato crops. A deficiency of any single nutrient is enough to limit crop yield.
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When growing potatoes the aim of the grower is to produce a high-yielding, quality crop that matches the needs of the intended market.
Potato nutrient requirements

Potato nutrient requirements

Potato nutrient requirements vary depending on the crop growth stage. Find out which nutrients are most important at different growth stages.
Potato fertiliser application

Potato fertiliser application

Correct timing and placement of fertiliser applications to potatoes is important to achieve the highest level of nutrient use efficiency, which also minimises any environmental impact whilst maximising crop productivity.

See all potato nutrition articles

Potato agronomy advice

Farmer on a potato field
Establishing potatoes successfully
As with any other crop, good nutrition is key to securing a healthy potato crop, one that will return good yield and high quality and ultimately achieve a better profit margin for you.
Potatoes
YaraAmplix Optitrac helps combat stress in potatoes
There are many types of biostimulants on the market, each with different purposes. Yara's biostimulant products focus on is enhancing tolerance to abiotic stresses such as extreme temperatures or drought. They contain bioactive components that help the plant mitigate the effects of stress.
Agronomy Advice -Biostimulants increase marketable yield of potatoes
Biostimulants increase marketable yield of potatoes
Biostimulant products trigger natural plant processes that enhance nutrient use efficiency. Improved plant growth and abiotic stress tolerance help the plants to remain vigorous in hostile growing conditions so the farmer can generate better yield and quality.
See all agronomy advice

Looking for even more information ...

If you would like more information on potato agronomy or nutrition and would like to speak to one of our area managers or agronomists please find all their contact details here

Contact your local Yara area manager or agronomist

 

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