Effect of plant biostimulants on macronutrient content in early crop potato tubers

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effects of the foliar application of the seaweed extracts Bio-algeen S90 (Ascophyllum nodosum) and Kelpak SL (Ecklonia maxima), as well as the humic and fulvic acids in HumiPlant (leonardite extract) on the macronutrient content in tubers of very early potato cultivars ('Denar', 'Lord', 'Miłek') and their ionic ratios. The field experiment was carried out in central-eastern Poland over three growing seasons, using Haplic Luvisol. The biostimulants were applied according to the manufacturers' recommendations. Potatoes were harvested 75 days after planting. The use of biostimulants increased potassium (K) content in tubers, on average, by 1.26 g·kg−1 of dry matter compared with the untreated control tubers. Bio-algeen S90 did not affect the phosphorus (P) content in tubers, whereas Kelpak SL and HumiPlant reduced the phosphorus content, on average, by 0.063 g·kg−1 of dry matter. The biostimulants did not affect calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), or sodium (Na) content in tubers. The use of biostimulants resulted in an increase in the mass ratios of K+:Ca2+, K+:Mg2+, and (K+ + Na+):(Ca2+ + Mg2+) in early crop potato tubers, compared with the untreated control tubers, but did not affect the mass ratios of Na+:Ca2+ and Na+:Mg2+ or the mass ratio of Ca:P. The macronutrient content in early crop potato tubers and their ionic ratios depended on the cultivar and environment conditions.