Improving Tuber Yield and Phosphorus Use Efficiency Using Split Phosphorus Application to Potatoes in Inner Mongolia

Increasingly, phosphorus (P) fertilizer is being applied in Inner Mongolia of China to overcome the problem of insolubility of phosphorus in calcareous soil and meet the growth demand of potato plants. As a result, phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) in potatoes decreases continually. In this four-year study in sandy soils, drip fertigating potatoes with phosphorus during the growth season improved phosphorus uptake, plant growth, tuber yield, and PUE. Results show that relative to a single phosphorus application, using a split phosphorus application regime through drip irrigation significantly increased the leaf area index (LAI) and phosphorus uptake rate in the mid and late growth stages of potatoes, and enhanced potato yield and PUE. We concluded that split phosphorus application has the potential to benefit sustainable potato production in Inner Mongolia of China.