Response of four potato cultivars to rate and timing of nitrogen fertilizer

The release of three new potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars, Bannock Russet, Gem Russet, and Summit Russet, with unique plant growth characteristics, necessitates the development of appropriate N fertilizer recommendations. These three new cultivars, along with the standard cultivar, Russet Burbank, were treated with four N rates (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg N ha(-1)) using two different application timing procedures (early, with two-thirds N applied preplant, and late, with one-third applied preplant). Measurements included total and U.S. No. 1 yields, petiole NO3-N concentrations, and net returns derived from economic analysis using a processing-based contract. Each of the four cultivars showed a unique response to N application treatments. Bannock Russet achieved maximum yield and net returns with relatively small amounts of N fertilizer. It also showed no response to N application timing and had moderate NO,-N sufficiency concentrations early in the season, that decreased markedly late in the season. Gem Russet N requirement for maximum yield was similar to that of Russet Burbank, but required a higher amount of N for maximum net returns. Gem Russet also showed no response to application timing and had NO,-N sufficiency concentrations similar to or slightly higher than those of Russet Burbank. Summit Russet showed a strong trend for improved N use-efficiency when most of the N was applied early. On the other hand, analysis of net returns revealed a trend for greater profitability for Summit Russet when the majority of N was applied during tuber bulking. Petiole NO3-N sufficiency concentrations for Summit Russet were generally higher than those for the other three cultivars. In comparison with some earlier studies with Russet Burbank, this research suggested lower optimal N rates and petiole NO3-N sufficiency concentrations.