Plant nutrient uptake and potato yield response to banded and broadcast nitrogen

The response of potato plants to banding and broadcasting of N was evaluated under sprinkler irrigation utilizing well water containing 20 to 24 ppm NO₃-N. A potato crop was grown for three consecutive years on a Wasco sandy loam soil at rates of 67, 134, 202, and 269 kg N/ha, as (NH₄)₂SO₄. At each rate of N, 58 kg P/ha as superphosphate, and 112 kg K/ha as K₂SO₄, were included. Differences in PO₄-P or K concentrations in petiole tissue were minimal with no consistant differences in NO₃-N concentration whether N was banded or broadcast. With each increment of N the NO₃-N concentration increased. Total or U.S. No. 1 yields of potatoes were not consistently different whether N was banded or broadcast. Total yields increased when N was increased from 67 to 202 kg/ha. Neither yield of U.S. No. 1 grade or dry matter content of potatoes was improved when N was increased above 134 kg/ha.     

N、P、K对高淀粉玉米产量及营养品质的影响

采用二次正交旋转组合设计,在N、P₂O₅、K₂O施用量分别为102～276 kg/hm²、13.8～138 kg/hm²、8.6～138 kg/hm²条件下,探讨N、P、K对高淀粉玉米华单208产量和营养品质的影响。结果表明,对玉米产量,N的影响为开口向下的二次曲线,K为正线性关系,K与N存在负向互作;对粗淀粉含量,N的影响为开口向上的二次曲线,存在最低含量的施N量,P、K则为负线性关系,P与K存在负向互作;对粗脂肪含量,N、K的影响均为开口向下的二次曲线,P则为负线性关系,P与K存在正向互作。     

The influence of potassium fertilizer application on tuber yield and mineral element content of potato petioles during the growing season

Potassium was applied at rates equivalent to 0, 135, and 250 pounds per acre (0, 151, 180 kg K/ha) to study the effect of soil applied K on tuber yields and concentration of mineral elements in the petioles of potato plants during growth both measured at 14 day intervals. Petioles were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Fe, Mg, Zn, Cu, Al, Mn, and B. Seasonal trends in petiolar K content were highly correlated with tuber bulking regardless of rate of K application. Increasing K application rates generally increased petiolar levels of K and Zn (early in the season) and decreased the levels of N, Mg, Ca, Zn (late in the season), Al, Fe, Cu, and B in the petioles. Concentrations of P and Mn were unaffected by K applications. Seasonal trends in the mineral element content of petioles were not influenced by K. Results indicate that a prediction model for tuber yield based upon trends in the K content of petioles is valid under differing soil levels of K.     

浙江金华地区水稻土养分供应能力研究

 自1997年早稻开始，在浙江省金华市农业科学研究所试验区稻田设立了监测水稻土生产力及肥力变化的长期肥料定位试验，并在试验区周围10 km范围内选择了21户农民的稻田进行相应的监测试验。试验区内农户间稻田土壤的养分供应能力相差很大，氮供应能力变化于49~116 kg/hm2，磷供应能力变化于13~32 kg/hm2，钾供应能力变化于68~183 kg/hm2。农民常规施肥区的氮肥利用效率很低，氮表观回收率的平均值为14%~26%，氮肥农业效率平均值为4.6~8.2，且农户之间、早晚稻之间均存在较大差异。肥料定位试验结果表明，在连续种植水稻条件下，缺肥区土壤相应的有效养分消耗很快。与NPK全肥区比较，NP区从第2季水稻起，NK区从第3季水稻起，即开始出现减产。针对当地农民现行养分管理的实际情况，就水稻系统发展适地养分综合管理新技术进行了讨论。     

长期施肥和气候因素对东北黑土区玉米产量的影响

本试验以公主岭国家黑土监测基地为平台,研究玉米连作条件下施肥及气候因素对产量的可持续性影响。试验共设有机肥和化肥N、P、K的不同组合共24个试验处理。结果表明,与不施有机肥相比,施用常量有机肥和高量有机肥(FYM1、FYM2)均可以显著提高玉米产量,产量分别达到7668kg/hm²和7925kg/hm²,FYM(无有机肥)处理为5718kg/hm²。有机肥配施化肥比单施化肥也有明显的增产作用,施用N肥165kg/hm²可以显著增加玉米产量,单施磷素、钾素及磷钾配施增产作用不明显,表明土壤中的磷钾营养水平没有限制作物产量。降雨量与产量的相关分析结果表明,磷、钾处理的产量与8月份的降雨量显著相关。     

吉林省不同类型土壤玉米施肥效应研究

吉林省东、中、西不同类型土壤田间试验结果表明:不同类型土壤的氮、磷、钾肥施用模式符合二次曲线Y=ax²+bx+c。利用该模式,结合肥料和玉米价格进行综合分析,明确了不同类型土壤上的氮、磷、钾施用效益,即东部冲积土玉米最佳施肥量为N192kg/hm²、P2O556kg/hm²、K₂O33kg/hm²;中部黑土玉米最佳施肥量为N133kg/hm²、P₂O₅38kg/hm²、K₂O47kg/hm²;西部淡黑钙土玉米最佳施肥量为N59kg/hm²、P₂O₅65kg/hm²、K₂O51kg/hm²。     

不同施磷水平对春玉米产量、养分吸收及转运的影响

通过两年田间试验,研究不同施磷条件下玉米产量、养分吸收利用及转运的变化。结果表明,玉米产量随施磷水平的提高先增后降,以施磷90 kg/hm~2处理最高。依据玉米产量(y)和施磷量(x)二次曲线拟合,得出最佳施磷范围为90.1~103.1 kg/hm~2。在施磷水平30~90 kg/hm~2范围内,抽雄期各养分积累量与转运量呈正比;当施磷水平提高至120 kg/hm~2,各养分向子粒转运量出现负效应。相关分析表明,除苗期外,玉米其他生育期氮、磷、钾的积累间及转运间均存在显著或极显著的正向相关性,氮、磷、钾积累、转运与产量间也存在显著或极显著的正向相关性,灌浆期氮、磷、钾素积累与产量间的相关系数最大。玉米磷肥生理利用率和农学利用率随施磷水平的提高先增后降,玉米磷素吸收效率、当季回收率和偏生产力随施磷水平的提高而降低。     

缓效和速效氮配施对春玉米产量、养分积累及氮肥利用的影响

为研究稳定性缓释肥与尿素配施的玉米增产增效效应,采用田间试验,设5种处理,CK(不施肥)、NPK(习惯施肥)、80%C(80%缓释肥)、60%C+20%Ub(60%缓释肥+20%尿素基肥)和60%C+20%Ut(60%缓释肥+20%尿素追肥)。结果表明,60%C+20%Ut处理能够增加有效行粒数和百粒重,显著提高春玉米产量,达10 256 kg/hm²。各处理玉米整株养分含量和积累量均表现出氮>钾>磷,玉米养分积累量以玉米子粒和叶的氮积累量最高,分别为153.87、106.76 kg/hm²;玉米茎对K的积累量最多,以60%C+20%U处理最高,为83.75 kg/hm²;60%C+20%Ub和60%C+20%Ut处理均能提高氮肥农学效率、偏生产力、表观利用率和氮收获指数;在经济效益上,60%C+20%Ut处理的纯收入最高。综上,在贵州黄壤区氮肥减量20%下的缓释肥和尿素配施更能促进玉米高产,达到减氮增产增效的目标。     

山西省北部地区玉米化肥施用现状——基于应县大黄巍乡玉米种植户施肥状况调研

通过系统分析山西省朔州市应县玉米种植户化肥投入现状发现,农户的玉米平均产量为10.3 t/hm~2,平均施肥总量为465 kg/hm~2,氮、磷、钾肥的用量分别为262、123、84 kg/hm~2,氮、磷、钾偏生产力分别为42、69、135 kg/kg。基于土壤养分测试,该地区推荐的氮、磷、钾施肥量分别为225、90、45 kg/hm~2。与推荐施肥量相比,氮、磷、钾肥施用过量农户的比例分别为75%、81%和93%。过量的养分投入并没有显著增加玉米产量。     

有机肥部分替代氮肥土壤硝态氮动态变化特征及玉米产量效应研究

通过田间试验,在氮磷钾等养分量条件下,研究牛粪、鸡粪、猪粪替代25%化肥氮和秸秆全量还田配施化肥对0～100 cm土层硝态氮淋溶和积累及玉米产量构成的影响。秸秆全量还田配施化肥、牛粪替代25%化肥氮处理土壤硝态氮淋溶作用较小,完熟期0～40 cm土层硝态氮累积量分别为86.2 kg/hm~2和73.1 kg/hm~2,均显著高于其他有机肥替代化肥处理。习惯施肥、鸡粪替代25%化肥氮、猪粪替代25%化肥氮处理土壤硝态氮淋溶较强,完熟期0～40 cm土层硝态氮累积量分别为54.2、65.4、68.5 kg/hm~2。鸡粪替代25%化肥氮处理玉米产量最高,为13 616.9kg/hm~2,比习惯施肥增产13.6%,与其他有机肥替代化肥处理产量差异均达显著水平。在等养分量条件下,有机肥替代25%化肥氮及秸秆全量还田配施化肥均可增加0～40 cm土层硝态氮累积量,减少淋溶损失。     

Quantification of yield loss due to coffee leaf scorch

Coffee leaf scorch caused by Xylella fastidiosa is widespread in major coffee-growing regions of Brazil. This study was done to quantify the yield loss caused by this disease. The severity data of the disease were collected during the 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons at commercial plantations growing Coffea arabica ‘Catuaí’ in São Gotardo-MG in 250 plants of three blocks of 7000 coffee plants each. Fifty selected plants per block with different disease severities were determined. The linear regression showed a significant relationship (P < 0.01) between disease severity and bean yield and between disease severity and grain size in all years. The relationship between yield and the disease severity was significant (P < 0.01). For each 1% increase in the disease severity, there was a decrease of 1.22, 1.34 and 2.02 bags of bean yield/ha in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, thus showing the importance of the disease in reducing coffee bean yields.     

覆膜花生土壤速效钾变化趋势与平衡施肥技术

对176个覆膜花生地块的土样化验分析结果表明，近十年间花生田土壤速效钾含量平均下降了12．3mg／kg，速效钾亏缺的主要原因是钾素投入总量不足，且氮磷钾施肥比例失调等因素所致。实施测土平衡施肥、加大钾素施用比例、实行作物秸秆还田等，可明显增加土壤钾素含量，有效提高花生产量。在当前生产水平下，建议覆膜花生田K2O施用量增加到150～225kg／hm^2，N2P2O5：K2O使用比例调整为1：0．44：1．20为宜。     

On-farm evaluation of the ‘push–pull’ technology for the control of stemborers and striga weed on maize in western Kenya

The ‘push–pull’ technology is a novel pest management strategy developed for control of stemborers and striga weed, Striga hermonthica, in maize-based farming systems in eastern Africa, where maize is intercropped with desmodium, a forage legume, and Napier grass is planted as a border crop. Desmodium repels stemborer moths while Napier grass attracts them. Desmodium also suppresses the parasitic striga weed through a series of mechanisms ranging from shading to allelopathy through the root system. The technology is currently being disseminated among smallholder farmers in eastern Africa and adoption rates are rising. Our on-station studies have reported efficacy of this technology against the two pests resulting in increased grain yields. The current study was conducted between 2003 and 2006 in 14 districts in western Kenya to assess effectiveness of the technology under farmers’ own conditions. Twenty farmers from each district, who had adopted the technology, were randomly selected for the study. Each farmer had a set of two plots, a ‘push–pull’ and a maize monocrop. Seasonal data were collected on percentage of maize plants damaged by stemborers, the number of emerged striga, plant height and grain yields. Similarly, farmers’ perceptions on the benefits of the technology were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Stemborer damage and striga counts to maize plants were significantly lower in the ‘push–pull’ plots than in the maize monocrop plots. Similarly, maize plant height and grain yields were significantly higher in the former. Farmers rated the ‘push–pull’ technology significantly superior in having reduced stemborers and striga infestation rates and increased soil fertility and grain yields. These results demonstrate that the technology is equally effective in controlling both pests with concomitant yield increases under farmers’ conditions in the districts studied.     

Effects of free air carbon dioxide enrichment and nitrogen supply on growth and yield of winter barley cultivated in a crop rotation

The increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentration [CO₂] has been demonstrated to stimulate growth of C₃ crops. Although barley is one of the important cereals of the world, little information exists about the effect of elevated [CO₂] on grain yield of this crop, and realistic data from field experiments are lacking. Therefore, winter barley was grown within a crop rotation over two rotation cycles (2000 and 2003) at present and elevated [CO₂](375 ppm and 550 ppm) and at two levels of nitrogen supply (adequate (N2): 262 kg ha⁻¹ in 1st year and 179 kg ha⁻¹ in 2nd year) and 50% of adequate (N1)). The experiments were carried out in a free air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) system in Braunschweig, Germany. The reduction in nitrogen supply decreased seasonal radiation absorption of the green canopy under ambient [CO₂] by 23%, while CO₂ enrichment had a positive effect under low nitrogen (+8%). Radiation use efficiency was increased by CO₂ elevation under both N levels (+12%). The CO₂ effect on final above ground biomass was similar for both nitrogen treatments (N1: +16%; N2: +13%). CO₂ enrichment did not affect leaf biomass, but increased ear and stem biomass. In addition, final stem dry weight was higher under low (+27%) than under high nitrogen (+13%). Similar findings were obtained for the amount of stem reserves available during grain filling. Relative CO₂ response of grain yield was independent of nitrogen supply (N1: +13%; N2: +12%). The positive CO₂ effect on grain yield was primarily due to a higher grain number, while changes of individual grain weight were small. This corresponds to the findings that under low nitrogen grain growth was unaffected by CO₂ and that under adequate nitrogen the positive effect on grain filling rate was counterbalanced by shortening of grain filling duration.     

Growth and Nutrient Accumulation of Winged Bean and Velvet Bean as Cover Crops in a Subtropical Region

We examined biomass dry matter and nutrient uptake of live plant parts, leaf area index, and litter of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) and velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) 12, 18, 24 and 30 weeks after sowing (WAS). The two plants had similar leaf and stem+petiole biomasses. At 30 WAS winged bean had a significantly lower pod yield than velvet bean. Between 18 and 30 WAS, winged bean produced less litter than velvet bean due to differences in growth stages. The total mulch of live parts and litter of winged bean and velvet bean completely covered the ground by 18 and 12 WAS, respectively. Compared to velvet bean, the leaf and stem+petiole of winged bean had a significantly higher N concentration; significantly higher N uptake at 24 and 30 WAS; significantly lower C/N ratio; and significantly higher P, K and Mg concentrations. In winged bean, P uptake was significantly higher in the leaf at 30 WAS and in the stem+petiole at all harvesting times. The total biomass of the leaf, stem+petiole and litter of winged bean was 317–561 g DM m-², and their N content was 12.3–17.7 g m-². The total biomass of live parts and litter of winged bean might be sufficient to suppress weeds and increase soil N. Winged bean is an appropriate legume cover crop and green manure due to its longer growing period and superior ground-covering ability and high N input.     

Comparison of selection indices to identify productive dry bean lines under diverse environmental conditions

This research was designed to quantify the effect of seasonal rainfall on production of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the Rift Valley of East Africa, where insufficient soil moisture often limits productivity, and compare methods to identify productive lines. Twenty dry bean lines were evaluated for seed yield in a randomized complete-block design under soil moisture stress and nonstress environments during 1988, 1989 and 1992. Soil moisture stress levels were imposed by altering sowing dates (early vs. late) after the onset of the rainy season. Mean seed yield increased 8 kg ha⁻¹ for each mm of seasonal rainfall that occurred during the growing season. Lines differed in response to soil moisture stress, and their response varied with environments. Six selection indices, including arithmetic mean (AM), geometric mean (GM), drought response index (DRI), susceptibility index (S), response to drought (RD), and percent reduction (PR), were calculated for each line to determine correlations between indices and yields in stress (Y_s) and nonstress (Y_ns) environments. AM and GM were the only indices positively correlated with both Y_s and Y_ns. AM had the largest correlation with Y_ns (r=0.90) whereas GM had the largest correlation with Y_s (r=0.93). DRI, PR and S were correlated with Y_s (r=0.86, −0.82 and −0.83, respectively) but not with Y_ns. Conversely, the index RD was correlated with Y_ns (r=0.73) but not Y_s. The indices PR and S evaluated change in line performance across environments rather than line performance in either environment. GM and AM appear to be the most useful selection indices for identifying high yielding lines for both nonstress (early sown) and stress (late sown) conditions in the Rift Valley, while DRI has potential for use as a selection criteria only for stress environments.     

施钾对春玉米产量、养分吸收及分配的影响

通过连续两年田间试验,研究吉林省中部玉米主产区施钾对春玉米产量、养分吸收、转运、分配及钾肥利用率的影响。结果表明,施用钾肥可显著提高春玉米产量,在一定施钾范围内,春玉米产量随施钾量的增加而增加,当施钾量超过90 kg/hm2后产量不再增加,根据玉米产量(y)和施钾量(x)拟合,得出最佳施钾量为82.9~86.6 kg/hm2。施钾肥可提高干物质最大积累速率和积累总量、养分最大吸收速率和吸收总量,提前干物质最大积累速率和养分最大吸收速率出现的时间。施钾可提高春玉米氮、磷、钾养分向子粒的转运量及转运率,施钾量30~90 kg/hm2范围内抽雄期养分积累量与子粒转运量和转运率呈正比,当施钾量超过90 kg/hm2后,氮、磷、钾养分转运出现负效应。钾素农学利用率和偏生产力随着施钾量的增加而下降,钾肥当季回收率以施钾量90 kg/hm2处理最高。在吉林省中部玉米主产区,适宜施钾量为82.9~86.6 kg/hm2。     

Tillage system effect on nitrogen rhizodeposited by faba bean and chickpea

The quantification of the below-ground N of legumes is a key to understand its effect on soil N fertility and the N economy of subsequent legume-based rotations. Significant amounts of the N fixed by legumes are incorporated into the soil as fallen leaves and stems. However, the N from roots, nodules and root exudates has rarely been quantified under field conditions, nor have the management effects been evaluated. This study measured the effects of tillage system [no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT)] on N rhizodeposition in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) during a 3-year period (2003–2004, 2005–2006 and 2006–2007) in a Vertisol under rainfed Mediterranean conditions. Faba bean and chickpea plants were labelled in situ with ¹⁵N using stem feeding and leaf feeding, respectively. NT increased the N derived from rhizodeposition (NdfR) with respect to CT (135 vs. 68 kg N ha⁻¹ in faba bean and 115 vs. 97 kg N ha⁻¹ in chickpea). Such differences between tillage methods can be attributed to the more favourable conditions for root growth produced by NT. NdfR was significantly influenced by depth; in faba bean, the greatest amount (70%) was found in the 0–30 cm layer, whereas in chickpea, 41% of the NdfR was concentrated in the 30–60 cm depth. The 54% and 61% of total plant N was NdfR (in faba bean and chickpea, respectively) representing 90% of the below-ground plant N in both crops. Our results show that the N derived from rhizodeposition is an important source for N balance and is a key to soil fertility in rain-fed Mediterranean cropping systems.     

Identification of traits to improve the nitrogen-use efficiency of wheat genotypes

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer represents a significant cost for the grower and may also have environmental impacts through nitrate leaching and N₂O (a greenhouse gas) emissions associated with denitrification. The objectives of this study were to analyze the genetic variability in N-use efficiency (grain dry matter (DM) yield per unit N available from soil and fertilizer; NUE) in winter wheat and identify traits for improved NUE for application in breeding. Fourteen UK and French cultivars and two French advanced breeding lines were tested in a 2 year/four site network comprising different locations in France and in the UK. Detailed growth analysis was conducted at anthesis and harvest in experiments including DM and N partitioning. Senescence of either the flag leaf or the whole leaf canopy was assessed from a visual score every 3-4 days from anthesis to complete canopy senescence. The senescence score was fitted against thermal time using a five parameters monomolecular-logistic equation allowing the estimation of the timing of the onset and the rate of post-anthesis senescence. In each experiment, grain yield was reduced under low N (LN), with an average reduction of 2.2 t ha⁻¹ (29%). Significant N × genotype level interaction was observed for NUE. Crop N uptake at harvest on average was reduced from 227 kg N ha⁻¹ under high N (HN) to 109 kg N ha⁻¹ under LN conditions while N-utilization efficiency (grain DM yield per unit crop N uptake at harvest; NUtE) increased from 34.0 to 52.1 kg DM kg⁻¹ N. Overall genetic variability in NUE under LN related mainly to differences in NUtE rather than N-uptake efficiency (crop N uptake at harvest per unit N available from soil and fertilizer; NUpE). However, at one site there was also a positive correlation between NUpE and NUE at LN in both years. Moreover, across the 2 year/four site network, the N × genotype effect for NUpE partly explained the N × genotype effect for grain yield and NUE. Averaging across the 16 genotypes, the timing of onset of senescence explained 86% of the variation in NUtE amongst site-season-N treatment combinations. The linear regression of onset of senescence on NutE amongst genoytpes was not significant under HN, but at three of the four sites was significant under LN explaining 32-70% of the phenotypic variation amongst genotypes in NutE. Onset of senescence amongst genotypes was negatively correlated with the efficiency with which above-ground N at anthesis was remobilized to the grain under LN. It is concluded that delaying the onset of post-anthesis senescence may be an important trait for increasing grain yield of wheat grown under low N supply.     

Utilisation des engrais chemiques sous conditions tropicales. 1. Effet de l'application d'azote,phosphore et potasse sur les rendements de la pomme de terre en Afrique centrale

Résumé Des essais NPK ont été menés au Rwanda avec une variété précoce et une variété demi-tardive, sur trois types de sols (volcanique, alluvionnaire et latéritique), en saisons séches et pluvieuses. Les augmentations de rendements, calibres, nombre de tiges et tubercules par plante sont représentés en fonction de doses de N (urée), P (triple phosphate) et K (chlorure de potasse). Les engrais ont été plus efficaces sur les sols les plus pauvres et en saison de pluie. L'optimum pour N dépendait de la précocité de la variété et de la saison. Les engrais n'ont pas eu d'action sur le calibre, mais l'augmentation des rendements a surtout été influencée par le nombre de tubercules récoltés par plante.

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Summary Over 120 000 ha of potatoes are grown every year in the region stretching from Zaire to the Nile: Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda and Zaire. The yield is low (7 t/ha), largely because of late blight caused byPhytophthora infestans and poor soils. Fungicides and fertilizers are still rarely used. The National Programme for the Improvement of Potatoes (PNAP) in Rwanda has initiated trials on chemical fertilizers (see Table 1) such as urea, superphosphate and KCl from 1982 to 1985. Trials were carried out on three soil types (Table 2) with two cultivars, Montsama (early maturing) and Sangema (semi-late), under two different seasons: dry and rainy with 250 and 500 mm rainfall respectively during a 110-day growing season. Tables 3 and 4 show the effect of fertilizers as affected by soil type and season on yield for each cultivar. Chemical fertilizers were more effective in poor soils and in rainy seasons. The optimum for N was on average 50 kg/ha with the semi-late cultivar and 100 kg/ha with the early cultivar. Optimum values for P and K were not even reached with levels of 200 kg/ha of P₂O₅ and 200 kg/ha of KCl. Tuber size was not markedly affected by treatment with N, P and K (Figs 1 and 2). Final yields were related mostly to the number of tubers per plant which in turn was directly related to the number of stems per plant and the number of tubers per stem (Fig 2). The three soil types were more deficient in phosphorus than in the other elements and yields obtained with P₂O₅ were significantly greater than those with nitrogen. Given the cost of fertilizers and of potatoes and bearing in mind the results obtained in this study, the use of a mixture of KCl and diammonium phosphate to give an NPK ratio of 63:161:120 is advised in Rwanda.

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Zusammenfassung Mehr als 120 000 ha Kartoffeln werden j?hrlich auf der Krete Za?re-Nil in Burundi, Rwanda, Ouganda und Za?re angebaut. Die Ertr?ge sind tief (7 t/ha) besonders wegen Krautf?ulebefall (Phytophthora infestans) und der armen B?den. Fungizide und Dünger werden eher selten verwendet. Das nationale Programm zur Verbesserung des Kartoffelanbaues (PNAP) in Rwanda hat in den Jahren 1982–83 Versuche mit folgenden Kunstdüngern angelegt: Harnstoff, Triplesuperphosphat und KCl (Tab. 1). Die Versuchen wurden auf 3 verschiedenen Bodentypen (Tab. 2) mit zwei Sorten, Montsama (frühe) und Sangema (mittelsp?te), angelegt und in den folgenden zwei Saisons angebaut: trockene und feuchte mit 250 und respektiv ungef?hr 500 mm Regenfall w?hrend einer Vegetationsdauer von 110 Tagen. In den Tabellen 3 und 4 wird der Einfluss der Düngung je nach Bodenart, Jahreszeit und Sorte dargestellt. Die Kunstdünger waren wirksamer in armen B?den und in feuchter Saison. Das Optimum für N ist im Mittel 50 kg/ha für die mittelsp?te Sorte und 100 kg/ha für die frühe Sorte. Die Optima für P und K wurden mit den gegebenen Gaben von 200 kg/ha P₂O₅ und 200 kg/ha KCl noch nicht erreicht. Das Knollenkaliber wurde nicht bedeutend beeinflusst mit der N, P und K Düngung (Abb. 1 und 2). Die Ertr?ge sind vor allem von der Anzahl Knollen pro Pflanze abh?ngig und diese wiederum ist direkt abh?ngig von der Anzahl Stengel pro Pflanze und der Knollen pro Stengel (Abb. 2). Der Phosphor ist das wichtigste Mangelelement in den 3 geprüften Bodentypen; die P₂O₅ Düngung gab h?her signifikante Resultate als die Stickstoffdüngung. In Betracht der Dünger- und der Kartoffelpreise, sowie der erzielten Ergebnisse, empfiehlt die Beratung in Rwanda die Anwendung eines Gemisches und von Diammonphosphor und KCl im Verh?ltnis von 63 N:161 P:120 K.