Phosphorus Dynamics in Potato Plants

Westermann, D.T. and Kleinkopf, G.E. (1983) Phosphorus Dynamics in Potato Plants. In: Proc. 34th Annual NW Fertilizer Conference. USA-OR-Portland, 1983/07/12-13.

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Abstract

Phosphorus is present in plants in both the inorganic, as orthophosphate,
and organic forms. The organic farms are compounds in which the orthophosphate
is esterified with hydroxyl groups of sugars and alcohols, or bound
by a pyrophosphate to another phosphate group (4). These organic forms are
especially Important for energy storage and transfer processes. In P
deficient plants, the Inorganic P concentration Is depressed much more than
the organic P concentration. This reduction Is accompanied by reduced protein
synthesis and reduced vegetative growth, particularly root growth. Phosphorus
is relatively mobile in plants and, under conditions of P deficiency, Is
translocated from the older plant tissues to the actively growing tissues or
to plant parts that serve a storage function. Phosphorus deficiency symptoms
are generally expressed in the older leaves as a darkish green color from an
enhanced anthocyanin production.

Plant nutrient analysis is used to determine the nutritional status of
the plant, reflecting the nutrient availability in the soil. Important
factors influencing the nutrient concentration and uptake are plant age, plant
parts or tissues analyzed, and the availability of other nutrients. Petioles
from the fourth leaf from the growing tip are generally used as Indicators of
nutrient status In potato plants. Critical nutrient ranges for N, P, K, Zn,
and Mn are available for use in the Pacific Northwest growing areas (2). Most
of these data for potatoes were developed by relating nutrient concentrations
during plant growth to final tuber yields. Recent studies show that N
fertilizer efficiencies and crop yields are improved if the N fertilizer is
applied according to crop growth rates (7, 8). In that study petiole NO₃-N
concentrations were used to monitor the plant's N nutritional status. This
project is an attempt to apply some of the same concepts and principles to the
P nutrition of this crop. The objectives of this report are to relate the
petiole P concentrations to the P and dry matter distribution patterns during
potato plant development and to relate these changes to final tuber yields.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
NWISRL Publication Number:	0504
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Potato Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:57
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2017 18:30
Item ID:	1031
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/1031