How to Boost Potato Yield with Seed-Safe Potassium
By Danica Kluth, Agronomist
It’s no secret that potatoes are a nutrient demanding crop, especially for potassium. In the first 6-10 weeks, potatoes will take up the majority of nutrients needed in the entire growing season. Being that a potato requires large amounts of potassium, getting an early boost of nutrients it needs at planting is beneficial for several reasons.
In the early spring, cold soils can limit nutrient availability, which can hinder crop growth and development. Potassium is essential for promoting root development and early season vigor, two key factors for setting up your crop for success. Ensuring some available potassium from the start – and supplementing in-season – helps avoid nutrient deficiencies which keep your potato crop strong and healthy. In short, with proper potassium management and getting a good head start at planting, this will help your potatoes reach your desired yield and quality.
Let's Talk Trials
K-Row 23 Potato Field Trial
- Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Trial Type: Randomized Complete Block Trial, Four Replications
- Treatment: K-Row 23 applied in-furrow 1" to side of seed at planting and banded spray over seed
Results
- K-Row 23 increased the yields of marketable potatoes in all the treatments.
- The K-Row 23 treatment of 8 gallon per acre had the greatest amount of 10oz. or above size (39 cwt/acre) followed by the 6.0 gallon per acre treatment (19 cwt/acre).
- The K-Row 23 treatment of 2 gallons per acre was banded sprayed overtop of the seed piece and generated increased marketable yields over the check.
Adding K-Row 23 to your starter blends gives your potatoes the early advantage they need to thrive. By supplying critical nutrients right from the start, you set the foundation for healthy roots, vigorous plants, and optimal yields. This spring, give your potatoes the best possible start with K-Row 23.
Interested in Additional Seed-Safe Trials?
Germination trials conducted at South Dakota State University confirmed that K-Row 23 causes minimal impact on seed emergence when compared to other fertilizers. Further, a study in Canada, conducted on potatoes using several rates of K-Row 23 applied on the seed piece had better emergence and yield than standard practices. This makes it an ideal source of fertilizer for in-furrow or starter applications where fertilizers are placed close to or directly onto the seed piece.
Benefits
- Potassium and Sulfur
- Supplies a seed-safe form of sulfur and potassium at germination
- Offers a low salt-out temperature, critical for early season planting conditions
- Enables greater exposure to nutrients as compared to other fertilizers or supplements
- Can blend K-Row 23 with UAN when including equal parts by weight of water and K-Row 23
- Can blend K-Row 23 with ammonium polyphosphate solutions (e.g. 10-34-0, 11-37-0)
- Multiple application methods are available
- 0-0-23-8S