PLANT DENSITIES AND N-P-K FERTILIZATION DOSES IN POTATO VARIETY CITLALI AT THE TOLUCA VALLEY, MEXICO

Abstract

Plant density and nutrition are factors that influence yield and quality of potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.). The objective of this research was to determine the effect of the fertilization dose and plan density in potato, Citlali variety, on total and weighted yield of tubers. Three fertilization levels were tested: 200-200-200, 280-280-280 and 360-360-360 kg ha^-1 of N-P₂ O₅ -K₂ O, respectively, three plant densities: 45,000, 55,000 and 65,000 plants ha^-1 during 2016 and 2017 agricultural cycles. Results indicated that weighted yield was insignificantly affected by density levels higher than 45,000 plants ha^-1 and fertilization doses higher than 200-200-200 kg ha^-1 N-P₂ O₅ -K₂ O; in addition, higher densities were observed to increased yield, but they caused a decrease in tuber size. In 2016, treatment with 65,000 plants ha^-1 and 280 kg ha^-1 of N-P₂ O₅ -K₂ O achieved the highest yield per hectare with 46 tons and a net income of $116,160 Mexican pesos (MXN). In 2017, treatment of 55,000 plants ha^-1 and 200 kg ha^-1 of N-P₂ O₅ -K₂ O achieved the highest yield with 55.37 t ha^-1 and a net income of $173,252 MXN. The optimal density was found between 45,000 and 55,000 plants ha^-1 and yields and net gain were variable and depended on soil fertility.