Zambia Agribusiness Society

When it comes to cultivating healthy and productive potato crops, understanding the nutritional needs of the plants is essential. From selecting the right fertiliser to applying it correctly, each step plays a crucial role in ensuring a successful harvest. This article explores the key aspects of potato fertiliser requirements to help farmers optimise their crop yield and quality. Key Takeaways Understanding the role of macronutrients and micronutrients in meeting potato nutritional needs. Choosing the appropriate fertiliser type based on organic or inorganic options. Considering seasonal variations when applying fertiliser to potato crops. Implementing the right application techniques such as broadcasting or banding for optimal results. Monitoring soil nutrient levels and adjusting fertilisation strategies accordingly. Understanding Potato Nutritional Needs The Role of Macronutrients Potatoes, like all plants, require a balanced diet of macronutrients to thrive. Nitrogen (N), phosphor

  So every time I get a call about seed potato inquiry and I share my price; K600 and K800 we’re good until we get to the part where we multiply by the number of bags. So guys, seed rate is 40,000 seeds/Ha. You get around 350 - 450 seeds/25kg bag. So you’ll need around 115 bags (25kg) of seed potato/Ha. The reactions are hilarious. Some people think I don’t know what I’m talking about, others challenge me and others….I let them be. My primary business is production so I focus most of my energy on that. Anyways friends, potato is not maize. Potato is a high value crop. Cost of production is high. Seed accounts for around half the total cost of production. But if you manage it well, the money comes back and a good amount of it. Which bring me to the next point. If you plant your crop with D Compound; you will not get the yield. If you have water for forcing, you will not get your yield. If you don’t use the correct fertilizer rate, you will not get your yield. If you spread you

The main reason to hill potatoes is to increase yield. Potatoes form along the underground stem of the plant and not from the roots. So hilling effectively lengthen the underground portion of the stem thus increasing yield. You can either add additional soil to the bed and then mound it around the plants, or you can scoop up soil from the rows and press it against the stems. Later in the season, it’s easy to reach in and check the potatoes for size before you harvest them. After the plants reach about 20 to 30cm tall, soil needs to be hilled around the plants for the potato tubers to grow in. These “hills” or ridges are where the potatoes will form, and it is important to keep them covered and away from sunlight. If the potato tubers come in contact with sunlight they can become green and not fit to eat. In fact, green potatoes can carry toxins and could become poisonous. To prevent this, potatoes should be hilled at least 3 to 4 times during their growth cycle. The more you can hill t

Potatoes are vegetables, but they contain a lot of starch (carbohydrate) that make them more like rice, pasta and bread in terms of nutrition. Much like rice, wheat and maize (corn) , potato crops are an important part of the world’s diet. The word potato comes from the Spanish word patata. Potato plants are usually pollinated by insects such as bumblebees. Potatoes contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. Different types of potatoes There are thousands of different potato varieties but not all are commercially available, popular ones include Russet, Yukon Gold, Kennebec, Desiree and Fingerling. While the role of genetic modification is up for debate, research has led to genetically modified potato varieties that have potential benefits such as increased protein and resistance to viruses. Based on 2010 statistics, China is the leading producer of potatoes. Potatoes don’t store very well after purchase but they are relatively easy to grow. Potato storage facilities