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How to fertilize potatoes for high yields? These tips you need to master

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How to fertilize potatoes for high yields? Please explain the fertilization method. Potatoes have a short growth period but a high nutrient demand. For every 1000kg of tubers produced, they need to absorb roughly 5-6kg of nitrogen (N), 1-3kg of phosphorus (P2O5), and 12-13kg of potassium (K2O) from the soil. Among the three major fertilizer elements, potassium is needed the most, followed by nitrogen, with phosphorus the least,...

How to fertilize potatoes for high yields? Please explain the fertilization method


        Potatoes have a short growth period but a high nutrient demand. For every 1000kg of tubers produced, they need to absorb roughly 5-6kg of nitrogen (N), 1-3kg of phosphorus (P2O5), and 12-13kg of potassium (K2O) from the soil. Among the three major fertilizer elements, potassium is needed the most, followed by nitrogen, with phosphorus the least; the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is 2.2:1:4.6. To ensure high quality and high yields of potatoes, in accordance with the production technical requirements for pollution-free vegetables and in view of the growth characteristics of potatoes and their nutrient demand patterns, the following fertilization techniques are proposed: 


1. Fertilization principles: mainly organic fertilizer, with proper application of potato-specific fertilizer; mainly base fertilizer, with early application of seedling-promoting fertilizer. 


2. Apply sufficient base fertilizer. The base fertilizer should be mainly organic fertilizer, with proper and sufficient application of potato-specific fertilizer; that is, on the basis of applying 2500-3000kg of high-quality decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, apply 45-50kg of potato-specific fertilizer per mu. 


3. Apply seed fertilizer as appropriate. When the base fertilizer is insufficient or there is no time to fertilize before ploughing, at sowing time apply 15-20kg of potato-specific fertilizer per mu as seed fertilizer. Seed fertilizer is mainly applied by furrow application or hole application; be careful that the fertilizer does not come into direct contact with the seed potatoes, so as not to damage the seed potatoes. 


4. Apply topdressing skillfully according to the seedlings. Topdressing should be early and skillful, generally carried out in 2 applications. The first is at the time of full seedling emergence, combined with intertillage and earthing up, using 500-700kg of decomposed human manure and urine diluted with water for watering. The second is at the bud stage, when the potato tubers begin to swell and the nutrient demand increases; this is the period of greatest nutrient demand, and 5-15kg of potato-specific fertilizer can be applied per mu. Generally, after the rows close, no more topdressing is needed.
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