Scientists from an international team of researchers (Pakistan, China, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Egypt) studied a method of feeding potatoes to potatoes to protect crops from drought. A related scientific article was published in Agronomy 2021 on the MDPI portal.
Potato farming brings good economic benefits to farmers located in semi-arid and arid areas. The main problem in this case is the lack of irrigation. Potatoes react to a lack of moisture with a drop in yield and product quality.
Water stress can be controlled with potassium supplementation. This is a relatively inexpensive and effective way of solving the problem. Potassium increases the rate of photosynthesis, thereby increasing the growth and productivity of plants, and also maintains a balance between the production of endogenous antioxidants and free radicals, regulates osmotic and turgor pressure.
In Pakistan, a two-year study was carried out on the effects of potash fertilization on ridge-planted potatoes under full root irrigation (FRI) and partial root irrigation (PRI) on one side of the ridge.
Two varieties of potatoes (Lady Rosetta and Hermes) were grown in the field, followed by potassium sulfate additions under the above conditions. The fertilizer was applied in three doses (50, 75 and 100 kg / ha).
The results showed that potassium supplementation significantly improved plant growth and productivity. However, more noticeable changes were noted in areas with partial root irrigation. Overall, potash supplementation reduced drought stress regardless of potato variety.
Potassium fertilization at a rate of 100 kg per hectare is the most effective approach to increasing drought tolerance in potatoes.