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Title: CAN POTATOES WITHSTAND DISPOSAL RATES OF SOIL AMENDMENTS?

Author
item Alva, Ashok
item SAJWAN, KENNETH - SAVANNAH STATE UNIV
item PARAMASIVAM, S - SAVANNAH STATE UNIV

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/5/2005
Publication Date: 11/6/2005
Citation: Alva, A.K., Sajwan, K., Paramasivam, S. 2005. Can potatoes withstand disposal rates of soil amendments?. American Society of Agronomy Meetings. On CD.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Potato production in the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW), including states of WA, OR, and ID, accounts for 55% of national production in about 45% of the total U.S. potato acreage. The Columbia Basin production area in WA and OR is known for high yields (up to 80 Mg.ha) of good processing quality potatoes, despite being grown on low productive sandy soils (sand content >95%). Organic soil amendments improve the soil physical and microbial conditions in addition to providing some essential plant nutrients. A pot experiment was conducted using 12.5 kg/pot Qunicy fine sand (mixed, mesic, Zeric Torripsamments) from a typical potato growing area in the Columbia Basin. The effects of high rates of adidtion of Chick Litter (CL), Sewage Sludge (SS), Incinerated SS (ISS), and Fly Ash (FA) were evaluated on Russet Burbank tuber yield, as well as nutrient content in plant and tubers. Total N content in the CL and SS were 3.38% and 5.2%, respectively, while it was negligible in the ISS and FA. The CL was applied at 5.6, 11.2, and 22.4 Mg/ha; while the other amendments were applied at 22.4, 44.8, and 89.6 Mg/ha rates. A treatment with no amendment was included as control. All treatments received recommended rates of N, P, and K applied at the time of planting. Nitrogen was applied 112 kg/ha N at planting, and 224 kg/ha N in season with 10 weekly applications. The tuber yield per pot increased at the first rate of either CL or ISS, or first two rates of SS compared to that in the adequate fertilized pot with no soil amendments. Tuber yields were negatively impacted by all rates of FA. The effects of these amendments on the nutrient and metal contents in the soil as well as plant parts including tubers will be discussed.