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Effect of Fertilizer and Irrigation on Nitrate‐Nitrogen and Total Nitrogen in Potato Tubers 1
Author(s) -
Carter J. N.,
Bosma S. M.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1974.00021962006600020024x
Subject(s) - fertilizer , irrigation , solanum tuberosum , nitrogen , agronomy , nitrogen fertilizer , chemistry , health hazard , nitrate , phosphorus , human fertilization , horticulture , biology , medicine , environmental health , organic chemistry
This study was conducted to determine the effect of N fertilizer and irrigation management on potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber NO 3 ‐N levels and the relationship to the potential health hazard created by high nitrate levels in food products. ‘Russet Burbank’ potatoes grown using different N fertilizer rates, methods of application, and irrigation levels were analyzed for NO 3 ‐N concentration. The NO 3 ‐N concentration in the tubers on a wet weight basis varied from 36 to 131, 34 to 75, and 25 to 50 ppm in the 3 years of this study. The NO 3 ‐N concentration for each year of study was found to be directly related to the level of applied N fertilizer. The initial concentration and increase in NO 3 ‐N due to N fertilizer varied with the season. The addition of manure did not increase the NO 3 ‐N level above those to be expected from similar quantities of inorganic sources of N. Phosphorus fertilizer did not increase the NO 3 ‐N level. The NO 3 ‐N concentration in the tubers where more water was applied at each irrigation was less than on the lower level of applied water at each N rate. These data indicate that greater NO 3 ‐N levels in the tubers will result by increasing N fertilization rates. The levels of NO 3 ‐N obtained in this study were not expected to contribute substantially to the methemoglobinemia health hazard.