What does this research mean for the field?

Low soil phosphorus rates can sustain high potato yields in high P-testing tropical Oxisols, while foliar phosphorus application enhances uptake but does not improve yield. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research evaluates the impact of minimal phosphorus application rates and foliar fertilization on potato yield in high P-testing soils.

March 10, 2026Potato Research0 citationsOpen Access

Low Soil Phosphorus Rates Sustain High Potato Yields in High P-Testing Tropical Oxisols while Foliar Application Enhances Uptake but Not Yield

TCTassiane S. Calles RSRogério P. Soratto JPJéssica T. S. Pereira

Key Points

This research evaluates the impact of minimal phosphorus application rates and foliar fertilization on potato yield in high P-testing soils.
Conducted field experiments in southeastern Brazil over three site-years.
Applied various soil phosphorus rates at planting (0, 22, 44, 88, 177 kg P ha −1 ) combined with foliar P applications during tuber bulking.
Measured tuber yield, leaf phosphorus concentration, and nutrient uptake efficiency.
High tuber yields (43.1–54.8 Mg ha −1 ) were observed even without phosphorus application.
Foliar phosphorus application increased leaf P concentration but did not improve tuber yield or quality.
Modest yield increases (up to 6.5%) were seen with increased planting phosphorus rates, with optima around 33 or 53 kg P ha −1.

Abstract

Abstract Potato yield is highly dependent on phosphorus (P) availability. Although high rates of P fertilizers are commonly applied to potatoes even in high P test soils, the efficiency of these practices is questionable. Foliar P fertilization, particularly during the tuber bulking stage, has emerged as a potential complementary strategy. This study aimed to evaluate whether adjusting the conventional P application rate at planting and applying in-season foliar P could optimize potato production. A field experiment was conducted on tropical Oxisols with high P-resin concentrations (74–123 mg P dm −3 ) in three site-years in southeastern Brazil. Treatments included five soil P rates at planting (0, 22, 44, 88, and 177 kg P ha −1 ) combined or not with three foliar P applications (1.3 kg P ha −1 each) during tuber bulking. Even without soil- or foliar-applied P, potatoes grown in these soils exhibited adequate P nutrition and high tuber yields (43.1–54.8 Mg ha −1 ); however, minimum soil P rates still enhanced tuber initiation and yield. Foliar P application increased leaf P concentration, uptake, and recovery efficiency across all planting P rates but did not improve tuber yield or quality. Increasing planting P rates produced modest yield gains (6.5%), with estimated optima at 33 or 53 kg P ha −1 depending on the regression model. Potatoes can still respond to P fertilization even in soils testing high in P, but substantially lower P rates than those traditionally used in commercial production are sufficient to achieve high yields. Foliar P application did not improve tuber yield or quality. Graphical Abstract

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