Potatoes in Rotation When Nitrogen Is Under Permit.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013: 8:05 AM
Tampa Convention Center, Room 37 and 38, Third Floor
Donald A. Horneck, HAREC, Oregon State University, Hermiston, OR
Growing potatoes with wastewater and the requirements a wastewater permit placed on the system causes interesting management problems. Simple calculations were derived to help understand the nitrogen flux of the system; apparent nitrogen uses efficiency (ANE) and cumulative nitrogen use efficiency (CNE). Apparent nitrogen efficiency is crop N uptake divided by N applied. Over a two year period ANE varied between 75% and 125% averaging 96% in year one and 101% in year two. CNE, which is crop uptake plus residual post-harvest soil N divided by N applied plus pre-season soil N, varied between 62% and 183% averaging 81% in year one and 117% in year two. Potatoes leave a significant amount of N in the soil after harvest between 153 lb./a 370 lb./a. Post-harvest N is the greatest concern for regulators. Post-harvest N is from decomposed leaves and stems not excess fertilizer applied during the growing season. A deficit irrigated wheat crop will utilize nitrogen in the profile to a depth of five feet. Without the deficit irrigated wheat potatoes are much more difficult to manage in permitted situations.