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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Soil Management and Sugarbeet Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #397077
Research Project: Agricultural Management for Long-Term Sustainability and Soil Health

Location: Soil Management and Sugarbeet Research

Title: Nitrogen management can increase potato yields and food security for climate change adaptation in the Andean region

Author
item Delgado, Jorge
item BARRERA, VICTOR - National Institute For Agricultural Research (INIAP)
item ALWANG, JEFFREY - Virginia Tech
item CARTAGENA, YAMIL - National Institute For Agricultural Research (INIAP)
item ESCUDERO, LUIS - National Institute For Agricultural Research (INIAP)
item Neer, Donna
item D Adamo, Robert
item ZAPATA, ANGÉLICA - National Institute For Agricultural Research (INIAP)

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/2023
Publication Date: 4/25/2023
Citation: Delgado, J.A., Barrera, V.H., Alwang, J.R., Cartagena, Y.E., Escudero, L.O., Neer, D.L., D'Adamo, R.E., Zapata, A.C. 2023. Nitrogen management can increase potato yields and food security for climate change adaptation in the Andean region. American Journal of Potato Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-023-09912-8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-023-09912-8

Interpretive Summary: Climate change is impacting tropical regions and has the potential to affect food security. Focusing on the Andean region of Ecuador, researchers from USDA in Fort Collins, CO led an international team to develop best nitrogen management practices in potato cultivation systems as a climate change adaptation strategy. This three-year study demonstrated the potential to improve nitrogen management practices to increase yields, net income, and food security; and adapt to a changing climate. Their work will be used to improve potato tuber production, helping efforts to adapt to a changing climate and potentially increase food security across the Andean region.

Technical Abstract: The Andean region of Ecuador is being impacted by climate change, and improved best management practices (BMP) are needed to increase yields to ensure food security. We conducted a study comparing different nitrogen (N) rates to determine the optimum N application rate for potato in this region. We examined five different application rates of N: 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 kg N ha-1. The results suggest that an N application rate of 300 kg N ha-1 increased productivity and net benefit by 87% and 146%, respectively, compared to no application of N. We transfered these improved practices for potato production in this Andean region to farmers, and all farms increased their yields and net economic returns, contributing to climate change adaptation and increasing the potential for food security in the region. The average yields and net economic returns for these farmers increased by 50% and 64%, respectively. The N use efficiency (NUE) significantly decreased after applications larger than 300 kg N ha-1 while higher NUE was achieved at 200 kg N ha-1. We recommend that the practice of applying 300 kg N ha-1 is implemented along with the use of a cover crop or a crop with a deep root system such as corn to follow the potato crop. Additional NUE studies are needed to continue increasing yields and economic returns for farmers in the Andean region.