Growth responses,cooking quality determinations,and leaf nutrient concentrations of potatoes as related to exchangeable calcium,magnesium, and potassium in the soil

Field experiments were conducted during 1977 and 1978 to determine the relationship between percent exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K in the soil, and yield, quality, and leaf concentration of 11 elements for several potato cultivars. The highest yields were obtained in soil containing a combination of 5% Mg and 5% K of the cation exchange capacity. All cultivars grew equally well in the high Ca field as in the low Ca field. Potato scab was no problem. Potassium treatment levels had a consistent effect on yield, specific gravity, and chip color. Specific gravity decreased and chip color improved as the K treatment levels increased from 2 to 8% of the CEC. Leaf elemental concentrations showed few consistent effects as a result of the Mg and K soil treatments.