The effects of drench and foliar application of a commercial seaweed extract on the leaf nutrient content of potato, Solanum tuberosum ‘BP1’

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to quantify the effects of a commercial seaweed extract (Afrikelp® LG-1) on the leaf nutrient content of the potato plant, Solanum tuberosum ‘BP1’ under soil drench and foliar application over two growing seasons, namely 2010 and 2011. Field experiments were conducted at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Nietvoorbij site (33°54’S; 18°14’E) in Stellenbosch, South Africa during the late autumn for both years. The experimental design followed a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement of one control, seven treatments (0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 L ha-1) and two application methods (drench and foliar), replicated four times. At 60 days after planting (DAP), S. tuberosum ‘BP1’, leaves were sampled for nutrient analysis. The results for the 2010 and 2011 seasons showed that there was no difference in the leaf nutrient content due to the method of application. N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Cu, Zn and B increased with treatment concentrations, with minor exceptions (Cu in 2010 and Fe in 2011).