Crop Guide: Potato Fertilizer Recommendations

The recommendations appearing in this document should be regarded as a general guide only. The exact fertilization program should be determined according to the specific crop needs, soil and water conditions, and the grower’s experience. For detailed recommendations, consult a local Haifa representative.

Disclaimer: Any use of the information given here is made at the reader’s sole risk. Haifa Chemicals Ltd. provides no warranty whatsoever for "Error Free" data, nor does it warrants the results that may be obtained from use of the provided data, or as to the accuracy, reliability or content of any information provided here.

In no event will Haifa Chemicals Ltd. or its employees be liable for any damage or punitive damages arising out of the use of or inability to use the data included.

 

 

Index:

1. General recommendations
2. Side dressing with Multi-K™
3. Poly-Feed™ water soluble NPK fertilizers
4. Multicote™ Agri controlled release fertilizer
5. Haifa water soluble fertilizers for foliar application
6. Examples of potato fertilization with Multi-K™ in various countries

 

3.1 General recommendations

3.1.1 Haifa Nutrinet™ web software for Nutigation™ programs

Use the NutriNet™ web software, accessible through our website or directly at www.haifa-nutrinet.com to assist you inworking out the recommended fertilizer rates at different growth stages according to the expected yield under your growing conditions.

a) Base dressing

 

 

b) Nutrigation™

Total amount of fertilizers applied by Nutrigation™

 

 

 

Table 10: The total contribution of plant nutrients from each fertilizer as calculated by NutriNet™:

	kg	N	P2O5	K2O	CaO	MgO
Ammonium nitrate (34%)	351	116
Haifa MAP™ (12-61-0)	144	17	88
Multi-K™ (13-0-46)	859	112		395
Haifa Cal™ (26% CaO)	27	4			7
Magnesium sulphate (16% MgO)	58					9
Total	1437	255	88	395	7	9

 

 

Table 11: Recommended nutrient rates per ha per day and per growth stage as calculated by NutriNet™ :

 

Phase	Days fromsowing / planting		kg/ha/day							kg/ha/phase
			N	P2O5		K2O		CaO	MgO	N	P2O5		K2O		CaO		MgO
Planting	1		1	0		1		0	0	1	0		1		0		0
Vegetative growth	2-40		1.56	0.54		2.44		0.05	0.05	61	21		95		2		2
Tuber initiation & bulking	41-80		3.15	1.08		4.85		0.08	0.1	126	43		194		3		4
Maturation	81-130		2.36	0.82		3.64		0.06	0.08	118	41		182		3		4
							Total			306		105		472	8	10

 

 

Table 12: Recommended fertilizers rates per growth stage

Phase	Days from sowing / planting	kg/ha/phase
		Ammonium nitrate 34-0-0	Haifa MAP* 12-61-0	Multi-K® * 13-0-46	Haifa Cal* (26% CaO)	Magnesium sulfate (16% MgO)
Planting	1	2	0	2	0	0
Vegetative growth	2-40	172	34	207	8	13
Tuber initiation & bulking	41-80	150	70	422	12	25
Maturation	81-130	72	67	396	12	25
Total		396	144	859	27	56

*

Multi-K™  = Potassium nitrate

Haifa MAP™ = Mono-ammonium phosphate

Haifa Cal™ = Calcium nitrate

 

3.1.2 Side dressing with Multi-K™

It is recommended to apply Multi-K™ by side dressing in prilled form. It can be done by any surface fertilizer applicator. However, when the soil is too wet, especially in early spring, aerial application is recommended.

 

 

Table 12: Soil applied fertilization

Type of potatoes	When to apply	Rate kg/ha
Ware potatoes	5 - 8 weeks after planting	250 - 300 kg Multi-K™ /ha
Early potatoes	After removing plastic cover	200 - 250 kg Multi-K™ /ha
Comments	Split into 2 - 4 applications. First application 20-30 days after emergence	Fewer applications in heavier soils, more in light texture soils. 15 - 20 days interval.

 

 

3.1.3 Poly-Feed™ water-soluble NPK fertilizers

Table 13: fertilization recommendations for potatoes. Expected yield: 60 ton/ha

Growth stage	Days	Poly-Feed™ formula	kg/ha/day	Total kg/ha
Planting & Establishment	30	20-20-20	6	180
Tuber initiation	25	14-7-21+2MgO	18	450
Tuber growth	55	14-7-21+2MgO	18	990

 

 

3.1.4 Multicote™ Agri controlled release fertilizer

An N:P₂O:K₂O ratio of 2:1:3* is recommended, as pre-plant application. This application will take care of the nutritional requirement of the plot for the entire growth season.

 

Multicote™ Agri granules should be incorporated into the soil, 10cm deep and 10cm away from the planting row.

Consult a local Haifa representative for detailed explanations and instructions.

 

 

 

Table 14: Multicote™ Agri application recommendations for potatoes*

	Application rate % of local practice*			% coated nutrients
	N	P2O5	K2O	N	P2O5	K2O
Light soil	60-70	100	70	70	-	Up to 50
Heavy soil	70-90	100	80	50-60	-	Up to 50

* These recommendations refer to areas where nitrogen application rates are not restricted by regulations. If nitrogen application is restricted, calculation of Multicote™ Agri application rates should be based on the full optimum rates that would have been given with no restrictions.

 

 

Table 15: Haifa water-soluble fertilizers for foliar application

Fertilizer	Curing Treatment	Recommended concentration
Haifa Bonus™	Potassium deficiency	1%  -  3%
Haifa MAP™	Phosphorus deficiency	1%  -  3%
Haifa MKP™	Phosphorus and potassium deficiency	1%  -  3%
Magnisal™	Magnesium deficiency	1%  -  2%
Poly-Feed™	N-P-K and micronutrients deficiency	See table below
Haifa Micro™	Micronutrients deficiencies	Consult Haifa agronomist

 

Table 16: Recommended foliar feeding with Poly-Feed™ products for boosting crop performances

 

Stage	Poly-Feed®Foliar analysis	Concentration	Spray volume
Vegetative growth	“Vegetative Booster” 21-21-21	2% - 5%	50 – 80 L/ha
Tuber growth	“Poly-Potato” 12-5-40	Two applications at 2% - 4%	50 – 80 L/ha

 

3.2 Examples of potato fertilization with Multi-K™ in various countries

 

3.2.1 South Africa 

A. Cape region

Application Schedule	Product           (N- P2O5-K2O)		kg/ha	N	P	P2O5	K	K2O
Before plant	Gypsum		2000
Bended at planting	Granular 8-29-20		1130	55	110	252	95	114
Fertigation (Via Central Pivot)
Weeks		Applications per week	Rate per application
1 to 4	13-10-27*	2	75 kg/ha	80	27	61	133	160
	Calcium Nitrate	1	50 kg/ha	28	0	0	0	0
5 to 7	Multi-K™	2	60 kg/ha	55.2	0	0	110	132
	Calcium Nitrate	1	50 kg/ha	21	0	0	0	0
8 to 10	Multi-K™	3	60 kg/ha	54	0	0	158	189
Sub-total Nutrigation™				238	27	61	401	482
Total				293	137	313	496	596

* Water-soluble fertilizer made of Multi-K™ MKP and AS

 

 

B. Free state

Fertilizers	Magnisal™	Haifa Cal™	UAN	4-3-4 (18)	Multi-K™	KCl
S. G.	1.3	1.48	1.3	1.3	0.2	0.2
Week	kg/ha
0  (Jan-10)
1 - 5
6	100	100	150	100
7	100	100	150	100
8	100	100	100	100
9	7		90	100
10				95	50
11					50
12					50	25
13					10	25
14						25
15
Total	307	300	490	495	160	75

 

 

3.2.2. Australia

Soil type: Light (with low phosphorus and potassium)

Note: Nutrients supplied by a base dressing with strategic applications through the center pivot irrigators.

 

 

Recommended rates of nutrients

N	P	P2O5	K	K2O
150-250 kg/ha	60-110 kg/ha	135-250 kg/ha	150-200 kg/ha	180-240 kg/ha

 

 

a) Base-dressing

On silt soils (medium soils) up to 50% of the N and K should be applied as pre-plant and up to 100 % of P applied as pre-plant dry fertilizer *.

N	P	P2O5	K	K2O
50-80 kg/ha	60-110 kg/ha	135-250 kg/ha	50-60 kg/ha	60-70kg/ha

* On light (sandy) soils, up to 30% of the N and K should be applied as pre-plant and up to 100 % of the P applied as pre-plant dry fertilizer.

 

 

b) Nutrigation™

50%** of N and K are applied through the irrigation system (center pivot)

Time of application (weeks after emergence)	kg/ha/application
	N	P	K	K2O	Multi-K™	Ammonium Nitrate
1-5
6	23	52	19	23	50	50
8	23	52	19	23	50	50
10	23	52	19	23	50	50
12	23	52	19	23	50	50
14	23	52	19	23	50	50

** When 70% of N and K are applied, increase Multi-K™ rate to 55 - 60 kg/application an ammonium nitrate to 90 kg/application.

 

 

Nutrient applied kg/ha	N	P	P2O5	K	K2O
(Approx)	195	70	160	185	225

Note: Nutrigation™ begins 6 weeks after emergence. If practical, applications can be split and applied on a weekly basis.

 

 

3.2.3. Poland

Soil type: Light /sandy

Plant density: 40,000-75,000 / ha

Expected yield: 35-45 T/ha, depending on variety

 

Average recommended rates of nutrients (kg/ha):

N	P2O5	K2O	CaO	MgO
200-250	150	350-450	60-80	60-80

 

 

a) Base-dressing

 

Nutrient Requirements				Recommended Fertilizers
N	P2O5	K2O	MgO	AN	TSP	Haifa SOP	MgSO4
30	100	130	53	90	220	260	160

AN - Ammonium nitrate (34%)

TSP - Triple Super phosphate (46%P₂O₅)

Haifa SOP - Potassium sulfate (50% K₂O)

 

 

b) Nutrigation™

Based on a weekly irrigation.

Growth stage	Weeks after emergence	Nutrition requirement (kg/ha/week)					Recommended fertilizer (kg/ha/week)
		N	P2O5	K2O	CaO	MgO	Multi-K™ Mg	Haifa MAP™	AN	CN
Vegetative growth	1-5	6	6					10	18
Tuber initiation	6-7	5	5					8	15
Tuber bulking	8-10	28		32	60	3.0	78		58	230*
Maturation	11-13	15		32		3.0	78		58
	14-16			10		0.8	22
Total		169	40	222	180	20	480	66	170	230

If fertilizers are applied by side-dressing, the entire weekly rate should be applied at once. Fertilizers should be placed besides the row.

Multi-K™ Mg = Potassium nitrate enriched with magnesium (11-0-40+4MgO)

Haifa MAP™= Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (12-61-0)

AN = Ammonium nitrate

CN = Calcium nitrate

 

 

3.2.4. Israel

Soil application:

Growth stage	N rate	Multi-K™*	P2O5 rate
From planting till tuber initiation	70-105 kg/ha	---	According to soil test or 150-200 kg /ha
At tuber initiation	-	300-500 kg/ha
10 - 15 days later	-	300-500 kg/ha

* Optional Multi-K™ Mg

 

 

Foliar feeding:

Treatment	Fertilizer	Spray timing	Conc.	Spray volume	No. of applications
Improving growth	Poly-Feed™ 20-20-20	One week after emergence	2% - 3%	Full coverage	2 - 3
Correcting K deficiency	Haifa Bonus™ 12-2-44	Two weeks after emergence	5% - 8%
Higher yield	Haifa Bonus™ 12-2-44	From full canopy	5% - 8%

 

 

Aerial application:

When there is a need for top-dressing and the soil is either too wet or the field is too large for timely ground application, an aerial application of prilled Multi-K™ is a practical solution. This is especially effective when the soil temperature is still cold, (usually in early spring), so a nitrate application will enable the plant to take up nitrogen at this stage for quick response.

 

Need more information about how to grow potato? You can always return to the potato fertilizer & potato crop guide table of contents