ARS | Publication request: Role of Fly Ash and Organic Soil Amendments on Potato Tuber Yield and Mineral Contents

Submitted to: International Symposium on Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: May 15, 2007
Publication Date: July 16, 2007
Citation: Alva, A.K., Sajwan, K., Paramasivam, S. 2007. Role of Fly Ash and Organic Soil Amendments on Potato Tuber Yield and Mineral Contents. International Symposium on Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements Proceedings. In Zhu, Y. et. al. (Eds.). Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements: Environmental Protection, Remediation and Human Health. Tsinghua Univ. Press. Beijing, China. p 346-347.

Technical Abstract: In this study, effects of application of high rates of (Chicken Manure; CM 5.6, 11.2 or 22.4 Mg ha-1 ), or (SS), (ISS), or (FA) (each at 22.4, 44.8, or 89.6 Mg ha-1) on a Quincy fine sand (mixed mesic Xeric Torripsamments) was investigated on the soil properties, as well as growth, tuber yield and mineral content, of two potato cultivars (Russet Burbank: RB, and Umatilla Russet: UR). The concentrations of total Cu, organically bound Cu, and precipitate form of Cu increased with increasing rates of SS and ISS. In the case of the RB, no significant advantage was evident with application of any amendments across all rates. In the case of the UR, however, a significant tuber yield increase was evident with 11.2 Mg ha-1 CM or 89.6 Mg ha-1 ISS, compared with that in the unamended treatment. In the rest of the treatments, the tuber yield was statistically similar to that in the unamended treatment. A significantly greater vegetative growth (leaves and stems) was evident in the UR cultivar with a high rate of SS, which may, in part, explain the significant reduction in the tuber yield. However, the above trend was not evident with the RB cultivar.