Yield of potato varieties under the effect of weather conditions and fertilisation system
Authors: Liashchenko S. A. , Prysiazhniuk O. I. , Doronin V. A. , Ivanina V. V. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose. To determine the influence of application of the ‘Quantum’ system products and weather conditions on yield formation in potato varieties of the Institute for Potato Research, cultivated on sod-podzolic sandy loam soils of Polissia of Ukraine.
Methods. A field study was conducted in the technological crop rotation of the Institute for Potato Research (Kyiv region) in 2021–2023. The experiments were based on the following scheme: factor A − weather conditions; factor B – ‘Quantum’ system products; factor C – ‘Zhytnytsia’ and ‘Melaniia’ potato varieties.
Results. The weather conditions during the years of the study had significant effects on the potato crop growth, development, and formation. The application of a set of agrotechnical practices helps increase potato yields, improves the quality of tubers and preserves soil fertility. New potato varieties ‘Zhytnytsia’ and ‘Melaniia’ reacted positively to the application of fertilisers, their rates, and methods of application. According to the study conducted in 2021, two treatments for ‘Zhytnytsia’ and ‘Melaniia’ varieties can be selected: 4th treatment – N90P60K90 (locally) + Quantum Diafan 3-18-18 (2 l/t) + Prolonged nitrogen and 6th treatment – N90P60K90 (locally) + Quantum SiAmin (0.5 l/t) + Prolonged nitrogen. For ‘Zhytnytsia’ variety, the yield increased by 10.5 t/ha (4th treatment) and by 9.4 t/ha (6th treatment) compared to the control (21.8 t/ha). For the ‘Melaniia’ variety, these indicators were 4.7 and 3.8 t/ha, respectively, compared to the control (20.3 t/ha). In 2022, with the application of various types of fertilisers and stimulants for ‘Zhytnytsia’ variety, the yield increased by 5.3 t/ha (4th treatment) and 6.3 t/ha (6th treatment) compared to the control (14.0 t/ha). For the ‘Melaniia’ variety, these indicators were 7.9 and 4.7 t/ha, respectively, compared to the control (20.9 t/ha). In 2023, again, both ‘Zhytnytsia’ and ‘Melaniia’ varieties had 2 treatments: 4th – N90P60K90 (locally) + Quantum Diafan 3-18-18 (2 l/t) + Prolonged nitrogen, and 6th – N90P60K90 (locally) + Quantum SEAmin (0.5 l/t) + prolonged nitrogen. For the ‘Zhytnytsia’ variety, the yield increase to the control (14.0 t/ha) was 10.8 t/ha in the 4th treatment and 14.6 t/ha in the 6th treatment). For ‘Melaniia’ variety, these indicators were 9.0 and 7.9 t/ha, respectively, compared to the control (22.8 t/ha). The same treatments, due to the application of Prolonged nitrogen, had a longer, on average by 10–15 days, growing season, which contributed to an increase in yield.
Conclusions. The correct selection of mineral nutrition and the use of ‘Quantum’ system products, despite rather adverse weather conditions for potato crop, ensured the overall resistance of plants to stress factors (low temperatures, lack of moisture, high air and soil temperatures, sharp temperature changes). It stimulated the development of potato plants and ensured the formation of high-quality seed material. This indicates the positive impact of the NPK fertiliser, seaweed extract enriched with essential nutrients, a complex of biologically active substances, in particular auxin-type phytohormones, fertiliser of antistress action with amino acids, easily accessible biologically active forms of boron, and organic forms of potassium. Concentrated copper microfertiliser with a pronounced antibacterial and fungicidal effect provided highly effective protection against diseases. In general, new potato varieties ‘Zhytnytsia’ and ‘Melaniia’ reacted positively to the application of fertilisers and ‘Quantum’ system products, rates of fertilisers and methods of their application. On average, over three years of the study, the highest yield of potato tubers was provided in the 4th treatment – (N90P60K90 (locally) + Quantum Diafan 3-18-18 (2 l/t) + Prolonged nitrogen) and in the 6th treatment – N90P60K90 (locally) + Quantum SEAmin (0.5 l/t) + Prolonged nitrogen, both for ‘Zhytnytsia’ and ‘Melaniia’ varieties. The increase to the control was 8.9 and 10.1 t/ha, and 7.2 and 5.6 t/ha, respectively.