Response of potato to micro-nutrients

Zinc is the most deficient micro-nutrient in almost all potato growing soils. Alluvial soils are more responsive to iron, manganese, boron and copper as compared to other soils. The response of potato to applied micro-nutrients depends on the magnitude of the deficiency in the soil.

Several factors influence the magnitude of response to the applied micro-nutrients. The most important among these are: potato cultivars, soil types and their nutrient status, soil environment, climate, cultural practices and nutrient interactions.

Cultivar:  Marked differences exist in potato varieties regarding their sensitivity to micro-nutrients. Cultivation of crop varieties less susceptible to a particular nutrient stress can assist in economising on the cost of alleviation of its deficiency. A fairly wide differential response of potato cultivars to Zn, Fe, Mn and B has been demonstrated under field conditions.

Comparative responsiveness of different potato cultivars to micro-nutrients 

+ Less responsive, ++ more responsive, - Not tested

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