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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #210129
Title: Supplemental calcium nutrition may have the potential of improving tuber yield of native potatoes in the Peruvian highlands

Author
item PALTA, J - UW HORT
item GOMEZ, R - INTL POTATO CTR LIMA PE
item DEL RIO, A - UW HORT
item ROCA, W - INTL POTATO CTR LIMA PE
item Bamberg, John
item SALAS, A - INTL POTATO CTR LIMA PE
item BONIEBALE, M - INTL POTATO CTR LIMA PE

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2007
Publication Date: 2/1/2008
Citation: Palta, J.P., Gomez, R., Del Rio, A.H., Roca, W., Bamberg, J.B., Salas, A., Boniebale, M. 2008. Supplemental calcium nutrition may have the potential of improving tuber yield of native potatoes in the Peruvian highlands [abstract]. American Journal of Potato Research. 85:23.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Previous research conducted at the University of Wisconsin has demonstrated that in season calcium fertilization can improve tuber quality of several US cultivars including chipping, russet and red potatoes. In addition calcium application has been shown to reduce the adverse effects of environmental stresses. However no studies have been conducted on the response of native potatoes grown in the Andean highlands. Many locations in the Andes tend to be acidic thus are low in available calcium. Present study was initiated to determine the response of native potatoes to calcium nutrition. For this purpose the experiment was conducted at San Jose de Aymara (potato farming community near Huancayo, Junin, Peru; approximate elevation 4,000 m.). For this purpose 20 landraces and 5 cultivars were planted in December 2005. Locally available gypsum was used as a source of calcium and was incorporated into the soil at planting. Treatments were replicated three times. At harvest all tubers were removed by hand and weighed. Overall results showed that calcium application tended to increase yield in nearly all the materials tested, however this increase was not statistically significant in every case. There was a significant increase in yield in 7 landraces and 3 cultivars. Tuber yield of cultivar Mariva and Perricholi was increased by 30 and 40%, respectively as compared to control. The increase in yield by calcium treatment was 20 to 50 % for the native potatoes. Possible influence of calcium treatment on nutritive value is being investigated. These results are very encouraging and suggest that local amendments can be used in the highlands to improve yield of native potatoes.