Potatoes - Deformation
Symptoms
Shoots are upright and thin with dull, dark green leaves. Margins of leaves are cupped upward.
Growth is stunted.
Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency (left)
Potatoes - Growth retardation
Symptoms
Lateral root development is inhibited. Tuber yield will be reduced.
Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency (right)
Phosphorus deficiency made worse by
- Acidic or very alkaline (calcareaus) soils
- Low organic matter
- Cold or wet conditions
- Crops with a poorly developed root system
- Soils with low P reserves
- Soils with a high phosphate capacity
- Iron rich soils
Phosphorus is important for
- Increased number of tubers
- Produces tubers of uniform size
- Boosts bulking and increases the yield of tubers
- Increases tuber dry matter content and starch levels
- Improves storage potential of tubers and reduces storage diseases
