Is there a better way of applying phosphate to potatoes?
Following tradition many potato growers continue to apply phosphate using straights such as DAP or MAP but this might not be the best practice.
Phosphate is particularly important for potato establishment and has an important role in the development of shoots and in particular roots and this is why a sufficient supply is key in the early stages of potato crop. The problem here is that phosphate is relatively immobile in the soil and relies on the roots being able to grow towards it rather than the phosphate moving through the soil towards the roots. Couple this with the fact that potatoes are a particularly poor rooted crop and in the early stages often struggle to establish an effective root network capable of accessing water and other nutrients and you can see why this is an issue.
There are several ways to improve management of phosphate in potatoes by using YaraMila compound fertilisers rather than more traditional 'straight fertilisers'.
Better timing of P and K applications ensures that the phosphate is applied close to when the plant requires, so limiting the amount that becomes locked up by the soil. This is favoured by applying P and K as compound fertiliser at or just after planting rather than as separate 'straight' applications prior to planting.
Better distribution of phosphate through the soil profile also helps plant uptake. The best way to achieve this is to increase the number of fertiliser particles. Traditionally phosphate has been applied as relatively concentrated DAP di-ammonium phosphate, containing 48% P2O5 so there are relatively few concentrated particles. Similarly if the phosphate is applied in a blended fertiliser using DAP or MAP there is still the same problem of the phosphate being contained in relatively few particles resulting in a an uneven distribution of nutrient through the soil.
However, if phosphate is applied as a compound fertiliser such as YaraMila Actyva S instead then every single prill or granule contains all nutrients and at a concentration of 14% P2O5 there will be approximately three times as many particles. This leads to more even spreading and a more effective distribution of nutrients throughout the soil which inturn leads to more even crop growth and increased yield
