Acerca de los Nutrientes Vegetales Secundarios

What Are Secondary Plant Nutrients?

Secondary plant nutrients include calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). While required in smaller quantities than primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), they are still essential for healthy potato growth and high yields. Potatoes, as a high-yielding crop, remove significant amounts of these nutrients from the soil, making their replenishment vital for sustained productivity.

Roles and Functions in Potato Plants

Calcium (Ca):

• Essential for cell wall structure and integrity.
• Supports root and tuber development and improves tuber quality.
• Enhances resistance to diseases and physiological disorders such as internal rust spot and hollow heart.

Magnesium (Mg):

• Central component of chlorophyll, crucial for photosynthesis.
• Activates enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and energy transfer.
• Improves specific gravity and cooking color of tubers, and supports overall plant vigor.

Sulfur (S):

• Integral for protein synthesis and enzyme function.
• Improves nitrogen use efficiency and reduces common scab in potatoes.
• Promotes healthy foliage and tuber development.

Application and Management in Potato Farming

• Soil and Foliar Application: Secondary nutrients can be applied through soil amendments, starter blends, or foliar sprays. Foliar application is particularly effective for rapid correction of deficiencies and during critical growth stages.

• Starter Fertilizers: Balanced NPKS (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur) blends at planting ensure early and uniform crop establishment. Starter fertilizers with added calcium and magnesium further support root and shoot development.

• Combined Use with Micronutrients: Research shows that combining secondary nutrients (especially Mg and S) with micronutrients like zinc and boron through foliar sprays significantly boosts plant growth, tuber yield, and quality.

Impact on Yield and Quality

• Growth and Yield: Adequate supply of secondary nutrients increases plant height, tuber number, and total yield per hectare. For example, foliar application of magnesium alone or in combination with sulfur and micronutrients has been shown to maximize tuber yield and plant vigor.

• Tuber Quality: Calcium and magnesium improve tuber firmness, reduce defects, and enhance cooking quality. Sulfur application is linked to improved protein content and reduced disease incidence.

• Nutrient Use Efficiency: Sulfur enhances nitrogen uptake, while magnesium supports efficient carbohydrate transport and starch formation, directly impacting tuber size and quality.

Best Practices

• Soil Testing: Regular soil and tissue testing is essential to identify deficiencies and guide precise application rates.

• Balanced Nutrition: Integrate secondary nutrients into the overall fertilization program, adjusting for local soil conditions, crop stage, and expected yield.

• Timely Application: Most nutrient uptake occurs in the first 6–10 weeks of growth, making early application critical for optimal results.

"Secondary plant nutrients-calcium, magnesium, and sulfur-are indispensable for robust potato growth, high yields, and superior tuber quality. Their targeted use, especially in combination with micronutrients and major nutrients, supports sustainable and profitable potato production, helping farmers achieve both yield and quality goals. ."