Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Response to Incremental Application Rates of Potassium Fertilizer in Mississippi

Abstract

Potassium (K) fertilization is a crucial component of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) production. The basis for K fertilizer recommendations in sweet potato production varies greatly and relies on studies conducted in the late 1950s–1970s. Changes in agronomic practices and increasing costs emphasize the need to revisit fertilizer recommendations. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of seven different K fertilizer (K2O) application rates on sweet potato storage root yield, tissue K concentration, and economic implications in Mississippi. Incremental applications of K fertilizer did not influence sweet potato yield at any grade. Leaf tissue K concentration exhibited a quadratic trend in response to K fertilizer rate, with maximum leaf and root K content achieved at 269 and 404 kg·ha−1 K2O, respectively. Both the predicted K application rate for maximum yield and maximum profitability were the same, at 174 kg·ha−1 K2O. Accordingly, comparable sweet potato yields were achieved while applying substantially less fertilizer than the recommended rate. Further research is warranted to examine the impacts of only potassium fertilizer applications on soil characteristics and temporal trends in sweet potato potassium uptake, as well as refine fertilization recommendations for sweet potato production.

Biostimulant application of whey protein hydrolysates and potassium fertilization enhances the productivity and tuber quality of sweet potato

“…Fertilization with potassium (K) is an essential step in the formation of sweet potatoes. K is necessary for photosynthesis, transport of sugar, movement of water and nutrients, synthesis of protein, and formation of starch in sweet potatoes (Harvey et al, 2022). This study found that increasing the potassium fertilizer rate promoted vegetative growth as measured by leaf area and shoot dry weight.…”

First Recorded Feeding of Syngamia florella (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae) on Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) in Brazil

“…The area planted and the yield of I. batatas in the US has increased by 65 and 35%, respectively, in the last 20 yr (2000–2020) (USDA 2021). This increase in I. batatas production is mainly due to the expansion of areas planted in California, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina (Johnson et al 2015; Harvey et al 2022). Florida also has become a prominent producer with nearly 2,500 ha of I. batatas , most in Miami-Dade and Suwannee counties (Alam 2021).…”