Potato uptake and recovery of nitrogen 15N-enriched ammonium nitrate

Tuber yield and nitrogen uptake in potatoes were recorded during 1996 and 1997 in Southern Bavaria. Recovery of applied fertilizer nitrogen was measured by using ¹⁵N (¹⁵NH₄¹⁵NO₃). Nitrogen fertilizer was brought out either broadcast or in the ridge; 150 kg N ha⁻¹ were applied either at planting or in split doses of 50 kg N ha⁻¹ (at planting, emergence and at 20-cm plant height). Due to unfavorable conditions, tuber yield and fertilizer N recovery were lower in 1996 as compared with 1997. Fertilizer N recovery in plant biomass (tuber and foliage) ranged from 35.9% to 68.5% at growth stage EC 79; the main fraction was allocated to tubers. Placement of fertilizer N in the ridge had a positive effect on N recovery, when the total N amount was applied at planting. In broadcast application, fertilizer N recovery was higher when the fertilizer doses were split, as compared with a single broadcast application at planting. When fertilizer N was applied in split doses, the effect of N placement became negligibly small. Fertilizer N recovery in soil ranged from 19.5% to 24.6%, and total recovery ranged from 60.1% to 88.0%. Rainfall between planting and plant emergence, and conditions restricting plant development in early developmental stages were related with unaccounted fertilizer N losses. Therefore, the positive effects of split N applications or fertilizer placement are most likely to occur under unfavorable growing conditions.