Potato varieties react differently to reduced nitrogen fertilization: thesis

The German Potato Industry Association (DKHV) honored Christin Meyer's thesis on nitrogen fertilization of (starch) potatoes, research carried out at the University of Göttingen.

She investigated how reduced nitrogen fertilization affects the yield, quality and nitrogen use efficiency of different potato varieties. The results show that a variety-specific reduction in nitrogen supply has no negative effects on yield or quality.

Less fertilization can even lead to more efficient nitrogen use by plants for certain varieties. However, with increased nitrogen supply, the dry matter and starch content in the tubers of other types of food decreases, which reduces their quality, especially important for potatoes intended for processing.

No effect was found on the starch composition.

The reasearch findings enable sustainable management of fertilization and can be taken into account in breeding.

Christin Meyer received a bonus as recognition for her achievement. Excerpts from her work were published in the specialist journal Potato Growing (11/2023, pp. 32-35). The German Potato Industry Association DKHV annually supports student theses on the subject of potatoes.

The targeted promotion of young talent by the potato industry is a crucial step towards securing its future. The analyzes carried out in the master thesis are part of the initial investigations carried out by the FNR funded project 'Potential for increasing nutrient efficiency and reducing nitrogen emissions in starch potatoes' (POTENZION).