Nitrogen fertilization of irrigated Russet potatoes in southcentral Alaska

Allagash Russet, BelRus, Frontier Russet, HiLite Russet, Russet Norkotah and Russet Burbank were evaluated with preplant N fertilizer levels of 0, 67, 134, 201, and 201 kg N/ha in a split application on a Knik silt loam in 1990 and 1991 near Palmer, Alaska. BelRus and Russet Norkotah yielded less marketable tubers than the other cultivars and Russet Burbank performed well under warm, dry 1990 conditions and poorly when conditions were cool and wet (1991). Allagash, HiLite and Frontier Russets were consistent producers with marketable tuber yields averaging 35.4, 32.3, and 32.2 t/ha, respectively. Marketable tuber yield was maximized with approximately 175 kg total N/ha (residual soil plus applied) and approached 43 t/ha in 1990. Splitting the N application had no significant effect on tuber yield. Newly released russets appear promising for commercial Alaska producers.     

Russet Burbank yield response to sprinkler-applied nitrogen fertilizer

Yield response curves were developed for potatoes (Solanum tuberosum cv. Russet Burbank) with sprinkler-applied N fertilizer on a high-frequency schedule. The potatoes were grown on a Quincy sand to loamy sand (mixed, mesic, Xeric Torripsamments) typical of sandy-textured soils of the center-pivot irrigated areas of the Columbia River Basin of Oregon and Washington. These soils require daily irrigation at peak evapotranspiration because of low water-holding capacity. Yields were measured for total quantities of N, ranging from 100 to 665 kg N/ha, applied in small frequent increments as a urea-NH₄NO₃ solution. Maximum tuber yields ranged from 67 to 85 Mg/ha in 6 experiments over a period of 6 years. Economically optimum yields were obtained at fertilizer rates between 300 and 400 kg N/ha depending on cost-price ratio of N fertilizer and potatoes. Fertilization in this range should optimize tuber yield and quality with fertilizer N efficiency and economic return on fertilizer investment.     

Potato response to split nitrogen timing with varying amounts of excessive irrigation

Irrigation and nitrogen management are two of the most important factors affecting production efficiency and environmental quality in potato cropping systems. Field studies were conducted in 1990 and 1991 to determine the interactive effects of irrigation amount and N timing on potato yield, quality and nitrate leaching potential. Sprinkler irrigation was applied at approximately 1.0, 1.2 or 1.4 times estimated evapotranspiration (ET) to Russet Burbank potatoes grown on a silt loam soil. Following tuber initiation, a total of 132 kg N/ha was applied through the irrigation system to N treatment subplots using either six weekly 22 kg N/ha applications or 3 biweekly 44 kg N/ha applications. Excessive irrigation reduced root zone and petiole NO₃-N concentrations during substantial portions of the tuber bulking period. Biweekly 44 kg N/ha applications in 1991 produced higher and more consistent earlyseason root zone NO₃-N concentrations in the 1.2 and 1.4 ET plots than did the weekly 22 kg N/ha applications. Late-season tuber dry weight, total plant dry weight and plant N uptake were not affected by irrigation rate or N timing. However, excessive irrigation reduced U.S. No. 1 yield and yield of tubers >284 g in both 1990 and 1991 and reduced total yield in 1990. Biweekly N applications produced higher U.S. No. 1 yields than weekly N applications at all irrigation levels. Excessive irrigation also reduced NO₃-N remaining in the top 60 cm of soil at the end of the growing season. These results show that irrigating at optimal rates and applying split N at two week intervals on a silt loam soil can maximize Russet Burbank yield and quality while minimizing NO₃-N losses.     

Nitrogen fertilization and irrigation affects tuber characteristics of two potato cultivars

Nitrogen fertilization, irrigation, and cultivars affect tuber characteristics such as tuber size, specific gravity, and N concentration. Few studies, however, have investigated the interaction of irrigation and N fertilization on the tuber characteristics of potato cultivars, particularly in Atlantic Canada. The objective of this on-farm study, conducted at four sites in each of three years, 1995 to 1997, was to determine the effects of supplemental irrigation and six rates of N fertilization (0-250 kg N ha^-1) on the number of tubers per plant, the average fresh tuber weight, tuber N concentration, nitrate (NO₃-N) concentration, and specific gravity of the cultivars Shepody and Russet Burbank. Nitrogen fertilization increased the average fresh tuber weight, tuber N and N0₃-N concentrations, and decreased specific gravity. Effects of increasing N fertilization on tuber characteristics were often more pronounced for Shepody than for Russet Burbank, and for irrigated than for non-irrigated conditions. Shepody had greater average fresh tuber weight and tuber N concentration, lower specific gravity, and fewer tubers per plant than Russet Burbank. Supplemental irrigation increased the average fresh tuber weight and the number of tubers per plant, but it had a limited effect on specific gravity and tuber N and NO₃-N concentrations. Tuber NO₃-N con centration and specific gravity were strongly related to tuber N concentration, which in turn depended primarily on N fertilization. Incidents of lowest specific gravity and highest NO₃-N concentration occurred with a relative yield close to or equal to 1.0. We conclude that the risks of low specific gravity and high tuber NO₃-N concentration are greater when fertilization exceeds the N requirements to reach maximum tuber yield.     

Effect of declining or interrupted irrigation on yield and quality of three potato cultivars grown on sandy soil

Many potatoes in the Northwest are grown on sandy soils with sprinkler irrigation. The low water holding capacity and restricted rooting often associated with coarse-textured soils create conditions where water stress injury is likely. Temporary water shortage due to irrigation system failure is a hazard on these soils. The Russet Burbank cultivar is often severely injured by such water stress. It is not known how the cultivars Nooksack and Lemhi respond to these conditions. A study was conducted to compare the responses of Russet Burbank, Nooksack, and Lemhi cultivars to interruptions in irrigation during tuber initiation or during bulking, and to gradually increasing water stress from declining water application rates during the last 8 to 10 weeks of the growing season. In most categories evaluated, Russet Burbank was most injured by water stress, especially in percent U.S. No. 1 tubers. Much of the decrease in U.S. No. 1 tubers was due to small size. Nooksack generally was the least affected by water stress while Lemhi was affected slightly more than Nooksack. Both Nooksack and Lemhi withstood periods of water stress and produced satisfactory yields and grades of tubers while Russet Burbank did not produce profitable levels of marketable tubers.     

Alta Russet: An early-maturing, high-quality russet cultivar for wedge-cut french fry production

Alta Russet (Russet Nugget × Ranger Russet) is an early-maturing cultivar, with high yield and excellent processing quality (fry color and dry matter) coupled with a tuber size and shape profile ideal for the manufacture of wedge-cut french fries. In the western Canadian regional trials harvested 110 days after planting, the yield of the new cultivar was similar and the specific gravity superior to that of Russet Burbank. In multi-harvest date trials conducted under irrigated conditions in southern Alberta (Canada) the yield of Alta Russet was superior to Russet Burbank and Shepody and similar to Ranger Russet (Amisk) when harvested at 95 and 110 days after planting. The tuber specific gravity of the new cultivar was superior to Russet Burbank, Shepody, and Ranger Russet (Amisk) at 95 days after planting. At 110 days after planting tuber specific gravity was similar to Ranger Russet (Amisk), but superior to Russet Burbank and Shepody. Fry color was generally superior to Russet Burbank in the western Canadian regional trials and in the multi-harvest trials was generally similar to Russet Burbank, Shepody, and Ranger Russet (Amisk). Alta Russet produces excellent fry color out of long-term storage at 8 C and acceptable color at 6 C. External and internal defects occurred at very low levels in all trials. Alta Russet is resistant to common scab and Verticillium wilt, moderately resistant to early blight and Fusarium wilt and susceptible to Fusarium dry rot and late blight. The new cultivar shows clear symptoms when infected with bacterial ring rot.     

Comparison of methods for measuring dormancy of potatoes

Comparisons were made of different methods of measuring length of the dormant period of Russet Burbank potato tubers as affected by time of planting and harvest. The study resulted in the following conclusions: 1) when measured from planting or tuber initiation to sprouting, the dormant period of tubers harvested on the same date was longer from an early planted crop than from a late planted crop. 2) When measured from harvest to sprouting, the dormant period was shorter for tubers from an early compared to a late planting. 3) With the same planting date and different harvest dates, when measured from planting or tuber initiation to sprouting, the dormant period was shorter for tubers from an early compared to a late harvest. 4) On the other hand, with the same planting date, when measured from time of harvest to sprouting, the dormant period was longer for tubers from an early compared to a late harvest. Planting date to sprouting was considered the best practical field measure of dormancy since it closely correlated with tuber initiation to sprouting, a method which was more accurate but difficult to determine. Both methods were much better than harvest date to sprouting which is commonly used. In addition, larger tubers from earlier planting had shorter dormancy than smaller tubers regardless of method of measurement due to a probable earlier set. From later plantings, tuber size had no relationship to length of dormancy. Moisture stress significantly reduced dormancy of Lemhi, Russet Burbank, and Nooksack but the Butte cultivar was only slightly affected.     

Changes in ascorbic acid content during growth and short-term storage of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Changes in ascorbic acid levels were followed in apical and basal portions of Russet Burbank and Kennebec tubers during growth and development. Influence of nitrogen fertilization during growth and short-term storage on ascorbic acid level of the tuber was also studied. Changes in ascorbic acid content during growth showed two distinct phases, the first phase being characterized by an increase in ascorbic acid content with growth and development of the tuber, followed by a second phase which showed a decrease in ascorbic acid content with increasing maturity. The shift from the first phase to the second phase occurred earlier for Kennebec than for Russet Burbank. Increased nitrogen fertilization resulted in a delay of this shift from the first to the second phase. The apical portion of the tuber consistently showed higher ascorbic acid content than the basal portion. Kennebec tubers were higher in vitamin C content than tubers of Russet Burbank cultivar. High nitrogen fertilization resulted in less ascorbic acid content during growth. Storage of tubers for four weeks at 5.5°C also resulted in a marked decrease in ascorbic acid content of tubers. Nitrogen fertilizer rate during growth had no influence on the decrease in ascorbic acid content of tubers in storage.     

Effect and interaction of crop management factors on the glycoalkaloid concentration of potato tubers

Summary Potato tuber glycoalkaloid content was measured in response to nitrogen fertilizer rate, storage temperature, length of storage period and cultivar. Cvs Gemchip, Norchip and Russet Burbank were grown with applied nitrogen fertilizer rates of 0, 168 or 336 kg/ha and then stored at either 4.4 or 10°C. Total glycoalkaloid content was determined one month before harvest, at harvest, after three months of storage and after nine months of storage. Higher rates of nitrogen, higher storage temperature and a period of storage all resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher concentration of glycoalkaloids. The cv Norchip had higher glycoalkaloids than cvs Gemchip or Russet Burbank. Only the storage period had more influence than the environment (difference between years). Significant (P<0.05) two-way interactions were detected for year x cultivar, year x nitrogen, storage period x cultivar and nitrogen x cultivar. Most interactions were due to the unique responses of cultivars.     

Factors contributing to the blackspot bruise potential of Idaho potato fields

Blackspot bruise is a major problem in the fresh market and frozen french fry industry. The blackspot bruise potential of Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet in Idaho potato fields was determined by surveying commercial fields during 1993 and 1994. Management factors were monitored to determine what practices were contributing to blackspot susceptibility in addition to mechanical damage. The survey included 17 Russet Burbank and 3 Ranger Russet fields in 1993, and 28 Russet Burbank and 8 Ranger Russet fields in 1994. The 1993 season was unusually cool and wet whereas 1994 was warmer than normal, resulting in a wide range of environmental conditions for the 2 year study. Blackspot bruise potential was determined at different stages of tuber physiological maturity by collecting samples several weeks prior to normal harvest, immediately before harvest, and after storing sub-samples for several months. The blackspot bruise potential was measured by both impact and abrasive peel tests. Field maturity was the factor most consistently related to blackspot potential both years. In 1994 a multiple regression of 3 independent variables — field maturity index, specific gravity, and percent available soil water at tuber sampling, compared with the blackspot potential as the dependent variable gave a correlation coefficient of r = 0.73 (p = 0.001). Due to the cool, wet growing season in 1993, there was not enough variability in specific gravity and available soil water among the fields sampled for these factors to correlate with the blackspot potential. The available fertility data, although not complete for all fields, indicated no direct relationship between N, P, or K fertilization and blackspot potential. Preharvest samples in late August had lower blackspot potential than harvest samples in mid September, and storage samples in February had the highest susceptibility. There was a consistent increase in blackspot severity when tubers were equilibrated at 4 C compared with 10 C prior to bruising.     

Effect of daily irrigation rate and soil texture on yield and quality of Russet Burbank potatoes

Adequate soil water is needed for satisfactory yield and quality of potato tubers. With sprinkler irrigation systems it is common practice to apply more water than the crop uses in order to maintain high soil water levels. A study was initiated to evaluate the response of Russet Burbank potatoes to a wide range of daily sprinkler irrigation rates when grown on two soilsa loam and a sand—differing in water holding capacity. The results from the two soils were very different. On the loam soil, yields generally increased with increased applications of water, up to the equivalent of 40 to 50% estimated Et. Irrigation treatment effect on percent No. 1 tubers was inconclusive. In 1978, percent No. 1 tubers increased with water applied up to about 70% estimated Et. In 1980, irrigation rates between the equivalent of about 20 and 80% estimated Et had little effect on tuber grade. Yields and percent No. 1 tubers were depressed at irrigation rates greater than about 80% estimated Et. On the sand, yields and percent No. 1 tubers increased with increased irrigation rates up to about 100% and 80% estimated Et, respectively. Tuber specific gravity was not affected to an important degree by irrigation treatment on either soil. These results indicate that a good crop of potatoes can be grown on a loam soil at daily irrigation rates considerably less than estimated Et rates, while such reductions will decrease yields and grade on a sandy soil.     

Length of dormancy and sprouting characteristics of ten potato cultivars

The length of dormancy and sprouting characteristics of ten cultivars (Bison, Kennebec, Norchip, Norgold Russet, Norland, Red Pontiac, Russet Burbank, Viking, Dakchip, and ND8891-3), were compared. Russet Burbank had the longest dormancy period and the slowest rate of sprouting after dormancy ended. Viking and Norgold Russet had the most sprouts and Kennebec the fewest. Dakchip had the shortest dormancy period, the greatest weight of sprouts and the greatest weight loss. Dormancy was shortest in the warmest (20°C) storage. Storage at 2°C for six to nine weeks increased sprouting after dormancy ended compared with continuous 10 or 20°C storage.     

Wallowa Russet: A full season long Russet for processing and fresh market

The Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington and the U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly released Wallowa Russet in 2002. This late maturing variety is most suitable for frozen french fry use, but may find limited fresh market potential because of outstanding flavor and texture when baked. Wallowa Russet was evaluated as AO87277-6 in Oregon irrigated trials from 1993 through 1999, and in western regional trials from 1997 through 1999. Averaged over 13 locations in seven states, Wallowa Russet produced total yields of 55.6 mt/ha compared to 53.5 and 45.7 mt/ha for Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, respectively, and U.S. No.1 yields of 44.4 mt/ha compared to 30.7 and 36.0 mt/ha for Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah. Specific gravity is consistently higher for Walowa Russet than for Russet Burbank and fry color is as light or lighter; sugar end development is less than that observed in Russet Burbank. Wallowa Russet is similar to Russet Burbank in susceptibility toVerticillium wilt, foliar early blight (Alternaria solani), and potato leafroll virus (PLRV). However, Wallowa Russet develops less net necrosis than Russet Burbank from PLRV infection. Wallowa Russet is more susceptible to common scab (Streptomyces scabies) than Russet Burbank. It has moderate resistance to potato virus Y (PVY). Tubers of Wallowa Russet are less susceptible to tuber infection and decay caused by potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) than Russet Norkotah and Ranger Russet. Wallowa Russet has less hollow heart, brown center, blackspot bruise, and fewer growth cracks than Russet Burbank but is more susceptible to shatter bruise. Vitamin C is higher for Wallowa Russet (30.4 mg/100 g fresh weight) than for Russet Burbank (21.9) or Russet Norkotah (22.0), and protein content averaged 5.6% compared to 4.7% and 4.9% for Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, respectively.     

Russet Legend: A full season long Russet for processing and fresh market use

Russet Legend, a moderately late maturing variety especially suitable for frozen French fry processing but also acceptable for tablestock use (boiling, and baking), was jointly released by the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, Colorado, Idaho, and Washington, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1998. Russet Legend was evaluated in irrigated trials in Oregon from 1988 to 1997, and in western regional trials from 1990 to 1992. Total yields were similar to those of Russet Burbank, but Russet Legend produced higher marketable yields. In three years of regional trials at up to 13 locations in seven western states, Russet Legend averaged 47.3 Mg/ha marketable yield compared with 36.5 Mg/ha for Russet Burbank and 33.6 Mg/ha for Russet Norkotah. Russet Legend has consistently achieved lighter fry color and higher specific gravity than Russet Burbank. Russet Legend is less susceptible toVerticillium wilt than Russet Burbank or Russet Norkotah. It is susceptible to PLRV and net necrosis, and expresses PVY foliar symptoms clearly. Russet Legend is less susceptible to tuber infection and decay caused byPhytophthora infestans than Ranger Russet and Russet Norkotah. Russet Legend is less susceptible to hollow heart, brown center, growth cracks, and sugar ends than Russet Burbank     

Alturas: A multi-purpose, Russet potato cultivar with high yield and tuber specific gravity

‘Alturas’, a late-maturing, high-yielding, russet potato cultivar with high tuber specific gravity, was released in 2002 by the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Originally selected for dehydration processing, its cold-sweetening resistance also makes it suitable for processing out of storage into french fries and other frozen potato products. Culinary quality is high, with larger tubers suitable for fresh market if heavily russeted skin is not essential. Alturas consistently produced greater total and U.S. No. 1 yields than ‘Russet Burbank’ and ‘Ranger Russet’ in southern Idaho trials. Across other western trial sites, total yields of Alturas have on average been 29% and 14% greater than Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet, respectively. Alturas is resistant to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae) and early blight (Alternaria solani). Compared with Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet, Alturas is less susceptible to corky ringspot and foliar and tuber infection by late blight (Phytophthora infestans). It also is less susceptible to tuber net necrosis and Fusarium dry rot than Russet Burbank, and is more resistant to common scab (Streptomyces scabies) than Ranger Russet. However, Alturas is more susceptible to infection by PVY and PVX than Ranger Russet. Total nitrogen application recommendations for Alturas are approximately 40% less than those for Russet Burbank. Alturas requires 15% to 20% more water during the growing season than does Russet Bur-bank.     

Influence of irrigation and nitrogen management on potato yield and quality

The effects of irrigation, water and nitrogen management on yield and quality of the Russet Burbank cultivar are discussed relevant to developmental stages of growth. Recent research on the interactions of irrigation and nitrogen management on total and U.S. No. 1 yields and specific gravity are presented. Total and U.S. No. 1 yields decline with increasing soil moisture stress. Yield of U.S. No. 1 potatoes is particularly sensitive to short periods of irrigation deficit during tuber initiation. Total yield appears most sensitive to short periods of irrigation deficit during tuber bulking. Allocation of longer term irrigation deficits during years of limited water supply should be either a) avoided during mid-season tuber bulking, or b) uniformly distributed over the entire tuber bulking growth period. Yield increases with higher total available soil nitrogen under deficit irrigation, but the yield response diminishes as the amount of total seasonal water decreases. The influence of irrigation and nitrogen availability is also discussed for specific gravity and tuber maturity. Seasonal (split) nitrogen management is proposed as a method to improve yield, quality and nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency of indeterminant cultivars.     

Effect of transplant container volume and growing season length on field performance of micropropagated potatoes

Micropropagation is a tissue culture technique adapted for the rapid multiplication of disease-free seed stocks. Procedures for propagating potatoes in the laboratory and acclimating plantlets in the greenhouse are available, but information on cultural practices for maximizing tuber yield of plantlets when transplanted to the field is lacking. Centennial Russet and Russet Burbank plantlets were transferred from culture jars to three sizes of transplant containers for establishment under greenhouse conditions before transplanting to the field. Length of field growing season was varied by using two transplant dates and two vine kill dates. Survival of field transplanted plantlets was above 95 percent in both 1983 and 1984. Cultural practices significantly affected the tuber yield of plantlets of both cultivars. Total yield and yield of tubers larger than 35 mm in diameter increased with increasing transplant container volume. Transplant container volume had no effect on the yield of tubers less than 35 mm in diameter. Highest total yields and tuber production per plantlet for both Centennial Russet and Russet Burbank were obtained from the longest growing season (early transplant date with late vine kill). Yield of Russet Burbank plantlets increased more in response to a longer growing season than did Centennial Russet.     

Umatilla Russet: A full season long Russet for processing and fresh market use

Umatilla Russet, a moderately late maturing variety especially suitable for frozen French fry processing but also acceptable for tablestock use (boiling, and baking), was jointly released by the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1998. Umatilla Russet was evaluated in irrigated trials in Oregon from 1988 to 1997, and in western regional trials from 1989 to 1991. Total yields were similar to those of Russet Burbank, but Umatilla Russet produced higher marketable yields. In three years of regional trials at up to 13 locations in seven western states, Umatilla Russet averaged 40.5 Mg/ha compared with 32.4 Mg/ha for Russet. Burbank. Umatilla Russet fry color and specific gravity are consistently equal to or better than for Russet Burbank. Umatilla Russet is less susceptible toVerticillium wilt than Russet Norkotah, less susceptible to net necrosis than Russet Burbank, and resistant to PVX. It is susceptible to PLRV and expresses foliar symptoms of PVY more clearly than Russet Norkotah. Umatilla Russet is less susceptible to tuber infection and decay caused byPhytophthora infestans than Ranger Russet and Russet Norkotah. Umatilla Russet is less susceptible to hollow heart, brown center, growth cracks, and sugar ends, but more susceptible to blackspot and shatter bruise than Russet Burbank     

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

The release of three new potato (Solarium 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 NO₃-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 NO₃-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.     

The effect of irrigation regime and subsoiling on yield and quality of three potato cultivars

A study was conducted on sand and loam soils to evaluate the response of three potato cultivars to subsoiling and irrigation frequency. Subsoiling was of little benefit on the loam soil. On the sand, subsoiling promoted deep rooting and allowed potatoes to avoid water stress usually associated with four days between irrigations. Russet Burbank was much more sensitive to water stress than was Nooksack or Lemhi, especially in the percentage of tubers not graded U.S. No. 1. Benefits from subsoiling may be inadequate to justify the cost if a reliable high-frequency irrigation system is available.