Crop Guide: Potato Fertilizer Recommendations

The recommendations appearing in this document should be regarded as a general guide only. The exact fertilization program should be determined according to the specific crop needs, soil and water conditions, and the grower’s experience. For detailed recommendations, consult a local Haifa representative.

Disclaimer: Any use of the information given here is made at the reader’s sole risk. Haifa Chemicals Ltd. provides no warranty whatsoever for "Error Free" data, nor does it warrants the results that may be obtained from use of the provided data, or as to the accuracy, reliability or content of any information provided here.

In no event will Haifa Chemicals Ltd. or its employees be liable for any damage or punitive damages arising out of the use of or inability to use the data included.

Index:

1. General recommendations
2. Side dressing with Multi-K™
3. Poly-Feed™ water soluble NPK fertilizers
4. Multicote™ Agri controlled release fertilizer
5. Haifa water soluble fertilizers for foliar application
6. Examples of potato fertilization with Multi-K™ in various countries

3.1 General recommendations

3.1.1 Haifa Nutrinet™ web software for Nutigation™ programs

Use the NutriNet™ web software, accessible through our website or directly at www.haifa-nutrinet.com to assist you inworking out the recommended fertilizer rates at different growth stages according to the expected yield under your growing conditions.

a) Base dressing

b) Nutrigation™

Total amount of fertilizers applied by Nutrigation™

Table 10: The total contribution of plant nutrients from each fertilizer as calculated by NutriNet™:

Table 11: Recommended nutrient rates per ha per day and per growth stage as calculated by NutriNet™ :

Table 12: Recommended fertilizers rates per growth stage

*

Multi-K™  = Potassium nitrate

Haifa MAP™ = Mono-ammonium phosphate

Haifa Cal™ = Calcium nitrate

3.1.2 Side dressing with Multi-K™

It is recommended to apply Multi-K™ by side dressing in prilled form. It can be done by any surface fertilizer applicator. However, when the soil is too wet, especially in early spring, aerial application is recommended.

Table 12: Soil applied fertilization

3.1.3 Poly-Feed™ water-soluble NPK fertilizers

Table 13: fertilization recommendations for potatoes. Expected yield: 60 ton/ha

3.1.4 Multicote™ Agri controlled release fertilizer

An N:P₂O:K₂O ratio of 2:1:3* is recommended, as pre-plant application. This application will take care of the nutritional requirement of the plot for the entire growth season.

Multicote™ Agri granules should be incorporated into the soil, 10cm deep and 10cm away from the planting row.

Consult a local Haifa representative for detailed explanations and instructions.

Table 14: Multicote™ Agri application recommendations for potatoes*

* These recommendations refer to areas where nitrogen application rates are not restricted by regulations. If nitrogen application is restricted, calculation of Multicote™ Agri application rates should be based on the full optimum rates that would have been given with no restrictions.

Table 15: Haifa water-soluble fertilizers for foliar application

Table 16: Recommended foliar feeding with Poly-Feed™ products for boosting crop performances

3.2 Examples of potato fertilization with Multi-K™ in various countries

3.2.1 South Africa 

A. Cape region

* Water-soluble fertilizer made of Multi-K™ MKP and AS

B. Free state

3.2.2. Australia

Soil type: Light (with low phosphorus and potassium)

Note: Nutrients supplied by a base dressing with strategic applications through the center pivot irrigators.

Recommended rates of nutrients

a) Base-dressing

On silt soils (medium soils) up to 50% of the N and K should be applied as pre-plant and up to 100 % of P applied as pre-plant dry fertilizer *.

* On light (sandy) soils, up to 30% of the N and K should be applied as pre-plant and up to 100 % of the P applied as pre-plant dry fertilizer.

b) Nutrigation™

50%** of N and K are applied through the irrigation system (center pivot)

** When 70% of N and K are applied, increase Multi-K™ rate to 55 - 60 kg/application an ammonium nitrate to 90 kg/application.

Note: Nutrigation™ begins 6 weeks after emergence. If practical, applications can be split and applied on a weekly basis.

3.2.3. Poland

Soil type: Light /sandy

Plant density: 40,000-75,000 / ha

Expected yield: 35-45 T/ha, depending on variety

Average recommended rates of nutrients (kg/ha):

a) Base-dressing

AN - Ammonium nitrate (34%)

TSP - Triple Super phosphate (46%P₂O₅)

Haifa SOP - Potassium sulfate (50% K₂O)

b) Nutrigation™

Based on a weekly irrigation.

If fertilizers are applied by side-dressing, the entire weekly rate should be applied at once. Fertilizers should be placed besides the row.

Multi-K™ Mg = Potassium nitrate enriched with magnesium (11-0-40+4MgO)

Haifa MAP™= Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (12-61-0)

AN = Ammonium nitrate

CN = Calcium nitrate

3.2.4. Israel

Soil application:

* Optional Multi-K™ Mg

Foliar feeding:

Aerial application:

When there is a need for top-dressing and the soil is either too wet or the field is too large for timely ground application, an aerial application of prilled Multi-K™ is a practical solution. This is especially effective when the soil temperature is still cold, (usually in early spring), so a nitrate application will enable the plant to take up nitrogen at this stage for quick response.

Need more information about how to grow potato? You can always return to the potato fertilizer & potato crop guide table of contents