Yara's Agronomist visit > Marketing Conference > Haifa 's Agronomist visit > Operation Cotton takes Off > NSB pilot project implemented > New Induction > Success story on Banana > Special issue on Potato

Yara's Agronomist visit

Pre-Launching of Double Ox Calcium Nitrate Field Grade cum farmer meeting was organized by Nutrition Solutions Business (NSB) for Cotton farmers at Warangal and Nagapur. Mr. Miles Harriman and Mr. Sanjiv Kanwar from Yara International participated in the meetings. About 125 farmers participated in each meeting. Both meetings went off very well. Mr. Miles expressed his satisfaction on arrangements. Since, the recommended dose for Double Ox Calcium Nitrate Field Grade is 10 kg per acre, farmers have asked Nagarjuna to supply in 10 kg bags instead of 25 kg bags. NSB decided to introduce 10 kg pack.

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First of its kind Marketing Conference

Nutrition Solutions Business conducted four day marketing conference from 17-04-05 to 20-04-05 at Sitara Hotel, Ramoji Film city. The marketing conference mainly emphasized on the integration of MI and SF business. The concept of Understanding the language of plants, creating Rural Health & Urban wealth were introduced. This conference was first of its kind in the Nagarjuna's History. Sixty members of Sales and Marketing teams of both the business i.e Micro Irrigation as well as Specialty Fertilizers were attended.

A thought provoking presentation by Sri Mahesh Chandra Goel on Management by Objectives (MBO) gave a direction to the marketing team to finalize the business plan for FY 2005-06. Thereafter, superiors and subordinates sat together and finalized the business plan and various budgets. Second day completely devoted to technical sessions and also day was the day of joy and confidence, when luminary personalities Shri. K.S. Raju Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Shri R.S. Nanda, Director and COO of NFCL and Sri G.S. Raju, Director NACL graced and spoke on the occasion. Third day was the day of motivation when best performers received awards.

The award winners are as follows

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Haifa' s Agronomist visit Nutrition Solutions Business (NSB) has organized three technical training programs at Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore for sales and marketing team. Mr. Tal Shani, an Agronomist from Haifa Chemicals Limited, Israel imparted technical training. Mr. Tal along with Dr. SVS. Subrahmanyam visited Grape gardens, Banana & Pomegranate orchards and floriculture units in Nashik, Sholapur and Bangalore respectively. Mr. Tal expressed his satisfaction and felt quite happy with NSB team's performance.

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Operation Cotton takes off In order to promote Double Ox Calcium Nitrate Field Grade and Foliar application of Polyfeed and Multi-K on Bt as well as regular Cotton, an aggressive field promotional activity has started. Initially to begin with, the same activity started in Jalagon District of Maharashtra. All promotional tools have been placed well in advance to kick off the activity.

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NSB pilot project implemented

Nutrition Solutions Business (NSB) is implementing a pilot project in FY 2005-06 with a view to provide total farming solutions to the farmers. So that they can maximize qualitative and quantitative output with attractive cost benefit ratio. To move forward in this direction, four pilot projects have been planned where the team will not sell any particular product but will provide total solutions to the farmer whether it is fertilizers, micro nutrients, irrigation, pest control or disposing the out put at the maximum possible rate. The project has already been commenced in four main districts of Andhra Pradesh viz., Cuddapha, Rangareddy, Anatapur and East Godavari. The entire project is being carried out under the strict supervision of Mr. Ajay Bhartiya, In-Charge-Sales and Marketing Co Ordination. Mr. K. Subba Rama Raju - Marketing Executive is looking after activities required for this project.

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New Induction in NSB team

Mr. Arabind Singh Saroj has joined as Regional Manager for Northern Region. He has got vast experience especially in micro irrigation business. He will look after both micro-irrigation as well as specialty fertilizers business of Northern India.

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Success story of Progressive Banana grower from Maharashtra

Mr. Arun Pawar (front row second from left) , a progressive Banana farmer, from Shripur village of Sholapur District, a self made farmer, proved him self much superior. His experimentation with different kind of spacing proved beyond the doubt. He informed that spacing should not be a constraint to achieve higher yields. Interestingly he tried with more spacing ( 9 X 5 ) and less number of plants. He achieved record yield of 50 MT/ Acre. During Mr. Tal's field visit a farmer gathering was organized at his field. He informed that he is adopting 100% fertigation with water soluble fertilizers supplied by Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals limited.

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POTATO

Plant Characteristics > Climatic Requirements > Potato Nutrients > Testing Your Soil > Fertilizer Recommendations > Micro nutrients

The potato ( Solanum tuberosum ) was first accepted as a large-scale crop in the British Isles. It became the major food in Ireland during the 18th century and is hence often called Irish potato to distinguish it from the sweet potato. Ireland was so dependent on the potato that the failure (resulting from blight) of the 1845-46 crop caused a famine resulting in widespread disease, death, and emigration. The potato was also important to the course of history in the 20th cent. In Europe , especially in Germany , where it kept the country alive during two world wars. With its high carbohydrate content, the potato is today a primary food of Western peoples, as well as a source of starch, flour, alcohol, destrin, and fodder (chiefly in Europe, where more is used for this purpose than for human consumption). It grows best in a cool, moist climate; in the United States mostly in Maine and Idaho . Germany , Russia , and Poland are the greatest potato-producing countries of Europe . Potatoes are usually propagated by planting pieces of the tubers that bear two or three “eyes,” the buds of the underground stems. The plant is sensitive to frost, is subject to certain fungus and virus diseases (e.g., mosaic, wilt, and blight), and is attacked by several insect pests, especially the potato beetle. Nutritionally, the potato is high in carbohydrates and a good source of protein, vitamin C, the B vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.

Most of the minerals and protein are concentrated in a thin layer beneath the skin, and the skin itself is a source of food fiber; health authorities therefore recommend cooking and eating it un-peeled. Potatoes are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Polemoniales , family Solanaceae.

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Plant Characteristics

The tuber or seed piece produces a main shoot within a week or so of planting, depending on soil temperatures and its physiological readiness to sprout. At about the time the main shoot breaks through the surface, rhizomes arise from the underground nodes on the main shoot. The rhizomes grow horizontally underground for 5 to 12 inches, then thicken at the tip to form a tuber. Since roots and rhizomes only develop from the stem between the seed piece and the soil surface, the seed piece must be planted deeply enough to permit adequate root and rhizome formation. The period of tuber initiation is fairly short and usually occurs 5 to 7 weeks after planting. At this time the above-ground portion of the plant is usually 6 to 8 inches high and just beginning to flower. Although flowering and tuber initiation occur at about the same time, the two processes are unrelated physiologically. The cells in the young tuber increase by division until the tip is, -inch thick. All further growth of the tuber is by cell enlargement. The tuber, like the rhizome, is stem tissue and has tentacles for gas exchange. 'Eyes' are rudimentary leaf scars. When potatoes sprout, the sprouts are lateral branches with several buds.

The number of tubers formed depends on the environment at tuber set while the size of the tubers depends on the subsequent growing conditions. The tuber competes with leaves and shoots for photosynthates so tubers can grow only when excess photosynthates are available. Thus high tuber number requires good conditions during the 1-to-2 week period Good source of of tuber initiation, but adequate tuber size requires good conditions during tuber development as well. Most commercially grown potatoes are either the round, smooth-skinned white eastern types used for potato chips and boiling or the russetted western types used for baking and French fries. Russet

types have a rough skin and are larger and longer and have a higher dry matter content and growing season than eastern types. Dry matter content (as measured by specific gravity of the tubers) must be high in potatoes used for baking and processing. Many more potato types than this are popular in South American markets where tubers may be round, oval, elliptical, long, oblong, or blunt in shape. In cross-section they may be round or flat. The skin can be white, cream, buff, red, purple, or yellow in color and smooth, flaky, netted or russetted in texture. Flesh can also be while, cream, buff, purple or yellow in color. The market for unusual potato colors is increasing in the United States as well. 'Yukon Gold' is a popular yellow-fleshed cultivar and in 1994, Ronniger's Seed Potatoes released 'Pinto' which has yellow skin with pink-to-red eye markings.

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Climatic Requirements

Although the potato is considered a cool-season vegetable, the shoots are sensitive to hard frost and the tubers will freeze at 29 degrees F. The optional temperature for shoot emergence is 72 degrees F. Tuber initiation. Tubers are initiated more rapidly under short days in most cultivars but under optimal temperature conditions (54 degrees F air temperatures at night) tuberization can occur even under long days. Best initiation is under cool, moist conditions. Under high temperatures or dry conditions the rhizome continues to elongate without tuberizing. Above 68 degrees F night temperatures, initiation is reduced and above 84 degrees F, it is inhibited. High nitrogen and low light, or shortage of photosynthates, also inhibit initiation.

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Potato Nutrients

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Testing Your Soil

Taking a good soil sample is an important step in determining your crop's nutrient requirements. A soil test is highly recommended to determine fertility levels and pH before planting.

High yields can be produced efficiently only when fertilizer use is related to the fertility level of the soil and to other additions of nutrients in manure, crop residues and other organic sources. At one extreme, on very low-fertility soils, it is occasionally profitable to add as much or more nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium in the fertilizer as a crop removes. At the other extreme, on high fertility soils or following heavy application of manure, fertilizer may not be profitable and occasionally may reduce yields. Based on the soil test report, farmers will have to determine the amounts of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium fertilizers and lime that should be applied for crop production.

Soil organic matter can be maintained by use of well-decomposed FYM, grass or legume sod crops, or cover crops. A thick cover crop seeded after early potatoes will reduce soil blowing and fertilizer leaching. Manure should be applied in the fall and incorporated.

Soil Acidity and Liming

The pH scale, ranging from 0 to 14, is used to indicate acidity and alkalinity. A pH value of 7.0 is neutral; values below 7.0 area acid, and those above 7.0 are alkaline. A soil pH of 6 to 7 is desirable for optimum growth of potatoes. However, lower pH values down to 5.0 may provide better control of scab. Apply limestone to rotation crops where possible, and in the fall if potatoes follow potatoes. If increasing the soil pH is required, ground limestone should be broadcast and worked into the soil at rates determined by soil test.

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Fertilizer Recommendations

Nitrogen

Table 1 below outlines nitrogen requirements for potatoes. If manure is applied or legume sod is plowed down, reduce the nitrogen application. (See Table 1: Adjustment of Nitrogen Requirement Where Sod containing Legumes is Plowed Down (for sod) and Table 2: Average Amounts of Available Nutrients Different types of Manure (for manure).
	Nitrogen Deficiency

Table 1. Nitrogen Recommendations for Potatoes

If the total nitrogen plus potash applied is over 360 kg/ha, at least a portion should be broadcast before planting to avoid concentrating the fertilizer band near the seed piece and potato roots. Broadcasting or side-dressing nitrogen after potatoes are 20 cm high is not generally recommended because it may delay maturity.

Nitrogen fertilizer materials are available in dry or liquid forms. Although there are some limitations to the use of these, in most cases, the different sources will produce equal yields. The grower's choice of material should therefore depend on availability, equipment for handling and cost per kilogram of nitrogen, plus the cost of application.

Ammonium nitrate, Mono Ammonium Phosphate and ammonium sulphate are similar in toxicity and much safer than anhydrous ammonia, aqua ammonia or urea. Di-ammonium phosphate is more toxic than Mono Ammonium Phosphate but less toxic than urea. More care should be taken, particularly with sensitive seeds and on coarse-textured soil (sand, and sandy loam), than is required with ammonium nitrate or Mono Ammonium Phosphate.

Because anhydrous ammonia and aqua ammonia are extremely toxic fertilizers, they should not be placed near seeds. It is preferable to make pre plant applications crossways to the direction in which the crop will be planted.

Urea is toxic when banded with or near the seed but is safe when broadcast at rates normally used. Fertilizers containing more than half as much nitrogen as phosphate frequently contain urea. Nitrogen fertilizers readily dissolve in the soil water and move easily through the soil to the plant roots. Placement of nitrogen is less important than for phosphorus. Part of the nitrogen requirement is usually broadcast, injected or worked into the soil before planting, often to hasten the breakdown of the cover crop. In some instances, a good portion of the nitrogen is not applied until side-dressing in order to minimize leaching or to restrain plants from too much vegetative growth.

Phosphorus and Potash

Soil tests are required to determine phosphate and potash requirements. On mineral soils testing medium or low for phosphate, some or all of the phosphate fertilizer should be placed in bands 2.5 cm below and 6 cm to each side of the seed piece at planting time. On muck soils or on mineral soils testing high for phosphate, placement is less critical and fertilizer may be broadcast.

Phosphate and potash recommendations are based on the soil test report (See Table 3: Phosphorus Requirements Vegetables on Mineral Soils, Table 4: Potassium Requirements Vegetables on Mineral Soils, and Table 5: Phosphorus and potassium Requirements Vegetables on Much Soils). These tables should be compared with standard and accredited soil testing laboratories

Phosphate Fertilizers

Phosphate fertilizers are usually low in toxicity because a large portion of the phosphate is precipitated in the soil before it can reach the plant roots. The concentration of phosphorus in soil solution at any one time is very low. No limit is normally set for the safe rate at which phosphates may be applied with, or near, the seed of field-grown crops. Di-ammonium phosphate is more toxic than other phosphate fertilizer. Phosphorus is most important for early growth and is more available if placed near the seed. For transplant crops, the use of high-phosphorus starter solution is a profitable practice.

Phosphorus Deficiency

Potash Fertilizers

Potassium Deficiency

Muriate of potash (KCI) is the most common source of potassium in fertilizers and is less toxic per unit of plant nutrients than most nitrogen fertilizers. Sulphate of potash (K2SO4 ) is less toxic than muriate of potash. Sulphate of potash-magnesia has approximately the same toxicity per unit of potassium as muriate of potash. Potassium nitrate is one of the safer sources of potassium. Too much potassium applied in a band at planting or in the transplant  water  can  injure young  seedlings and reduce crop yield and  quality.  The  danger of  fertilizer  injury  is

greater on sands and sandy loams than on silt loam and clay loam soils. On the coarse textured sand and sandy loams, part of the potassium fertilizer requirements should be broadcast and worked into the soil before planting.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a plant nutrient that is naturally plentiful in many soils. soil test results below 20 mg require magnesium application for the production of most crops. Very few soils have magnesium tests below 20 mg. If the soil pH is below 6.0, the most effective and inexpensive means of supplying magnesium is by the application of dolomitic lime. If the pH is above 6.0, and the soil test 20 mg below, magnesium can be supplied by either magnesium sulfate or sulfate of potash magnesia, which is a mixture of sulfate of potash and magnesium sulfate. Apply 30 kg/ha of
		Note: in potatoes Mg deficiency symptoms do not extend to the leaf margin
actual soluble magnesium. These latter sources of magnesium are usually quite expensive compared to supplying magnesium from dolomitic limestone.

Potassium competes with magnesium for uptake by crops, and potash applications can therefore induce or increase magnesium deficiency. For this reason, it is important to monitor soil potassium levels and to carefully control potash fertilizer applications on low magnesium soils.

Calcium

Calcium deficiency has been noticed off late in may soils. Adequate soil pH is a reliable indicator of adequate calcium in the soil. Occasional calcium deficiencies may show up in some crops caused by difficulties in transporting calcium through the plant. Nitrogen management to control vegetative growth and good soil management to ensure adequate root volume will help to prevent calcium shortages in the plant.

Calcium - Skin finish

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Micro nutrients

Micronutrient Soil Tests

Great care is required to prevent contamination of soil samples with micro nutrients, particularly zinc. Do not use galvanized (zinc-plated) soil sampling tubes to take soil samples for micro nutrients tests. Do not use metal containers to collect and mix samples. Clean, plastic containers in good condition should be satisfactory. Soil samples that have contacted galvanized surfaces are unsatisfactory for zinc soil tests. Be careful to keep dust out of the samples.

Micro nutrient elements should not be combined with insecticide, fungicide or herbicide sprays unless the manufacturer's directions indicate that this may be done or experience has shown that they are compatible. Micro nutrient elements should be applied only on competent advice or where experience has proven their application to be necessary. Soil or foliar applications can be made. Soil applications are generally made at soil-preparation time, and foliar applications are applied during the growing season. A sticker-spreader may be useful for micro nutrient sprays.

Plant Analysis

Plant analysis is generally a better indicator of deficiencies of these nutrients. Plant analysis measures the nutrient content of plant tissue. Comparing the results against the normal and critical values for the crop can indicate whether nutrient supply is adequate for optimum growth. Micro nutrient deficiencies frequently occur in small patches in fields. In these cases, soil or plant analysis taken from the entire field is unlikely to find the problem. Sample problem areas separately.

Plant analysis has limitations. Expert help in interpreting the results is often needed, since plant analysis does not usually indicate the cause of a deficiency or the amount of fertilizer required to correct it.

Samples for plant analysis should be taken from at least 50 plants distributed throughout the area chosen for sampling. Problem areas should be sampled separately. For potatoes, the fourth leaf, including stem from the growing tip at early bloom is recommended. However, plants suspected of nutrient deficiency should be sampled as soon as the problem appears. Expert help will be required to interpret plant-analysis results when the samples are not taken at early bloom. A soil sample should be taken from the same area and at the same time as a plant sample. Table 2 provides a guideline to interpreting plant analysis for potatoes .

Table 2. Interpretation of Plant Analysis for Potatoes

Values apply to the fourth leaf, including stem, from the growing tip at early bloom.

¹Yield loss due to nutrient deficiency is expected with nutrient concentration at or below the “critical” concentration.

²Maximum normal concentrations are more than adequate but do not necessarily cause toxicity's.

Higher Levels of Nitrate improved Potato production

Cao and Tibbitts (1993) conducted two experiments to determine the effects of various NH₄⁺ /NO₃^- ratios on growth and mineral concentration in potato plants. The first experiment included six NH₄⁺ /NO₃^- ratios: 0/100, 20/80, 40/60, 60/40, 80/20 and 100/0 with the same total N concentration of 4 m mol. The second experiment included six NH₄⁺ /NO₃^- at 0/100, 4/96, 8/92, 12/88, 16/84 and 20/80, again with the same total N of 4 m mol.

In each experiment, plants were harvested 35 days after transplanting when tubers had been initiated and had started to enlarge.

The dry weight of whole plants (shoots and tubers) increased significantly as the percentage of nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃^-) in the solution improved the concentrations of potassium, calcium and magnesium in the shoots compared to ammonium (NH₄⁺ ) alone, while the tissue concentrations of CI were reduced.

The conclusion was reached that nitrogen fertilization combined with NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- forms, even when the proportion of NH₄⁺ is low, can enhance productivity in potato plants.

(Source: Cao, W, and Tibbitts, T.W.J. 1993. Study of various NH₄⁺ /NO₃^- ratios for enhancing potato growth. J.Plant Nutrition).

Phosphate

Recommended P₂O₅ rates vary from 230 to 340 Kg P₂O₅/Ha. These recommendations appear to be excessive as even high yields of potatoes seldom remove more than 80-90Kg P₂O₅/Ha. Utilization factors are however low and it is generally accepted that only 25% of applied P₂O₅ is utilized. Soil application of phosphate must take into consideration the P₂O₅ /Ha for soil ranging in status from 125mg/Kg to 35mg/Kg.

Potassium

The total consumption of potassium per ton of potato tubers is about 9 Kg K₂O/Ha. The recommended K₂O rates vary from 300 to 500 Kg/Ha. Potassium is involved in many physiological processes in the plant, such as synthesis of simple sugar and starch, translocation of sugars from the leaves to the tubers, stomatal regulation etc. Potassium has a major influence on potato yield and quality.

The influence of multi-k side-dressing on potato yields

The objective of the research was to study the influence of side-dressing with different K-sources on potato yield and quality in light and sandy soils.

Romania

In a trial conducted in Romania in 1993, four fertilization programs were examined:

• Control without fertilization.
• 100% base-dressing with potassium chloride (KCI);
• 42% base-dressing with KCI, 58% side-dressing with Multi-K (KNO₃).
• 42% base-dressing with KCI, 58% side-dressing with Multi-K and 5% Magnisal (Magnesium Nitrate).

Treatments 3 and 4 received four applications of Multi-K during the “bulking up” period. In treatment 4, two applications of 5% Magnisal were applied through the sprinklers. All treatments received the same amount of nutrients 200-227-240 Kg *N-P₂O₂ -K₂O)/Ha.

Side-dressing with Multi-K during the “bulking up” period increased potato production by 16.8% and 27.8% respectively, compared to the KCL and control treatments (Table1). Multi-K also increased the percentage of marketable (medium and large) tubers out of the total yield. An additional amount of Magnisal ( Magnesium Nitrate) during the “bulking up” period increased tuber yield by 5% and 22.6% respectively, compared to Multi-K and KCI treatments.

Table 1: The influence of side-dressing with Multi-K (KNO₃) on potato yields.

South Africa

Reitz (1991) examined the influence of side-dressing with different potassic fertilizers on potato yield and processing quality. The quality parameters were: tuber size, chip color and specific gravity of the tubers. The trial included three potassic sources: Multi-K (potassium nitrate), KCL (potassium chloride) and K₂SO₄ (potassium sulphate). All treatments received the same amount of N-P₂O₅-K₂O (297-410-464 Kg/Ha).

The highest yields were obtained with Multi-K side-dressing during the “bulking up” period. Multi-K increased tuber yield by 10% and 9.2% respectively, compared to KCL and K₂SO₄ (Fig 1). Also, a higher content of dry matter (Fig 2) and better chip color were obtained with Multi-K.

Multi-K is the Fertilizer of Choice

Side-dressing with Multi-K in light and sandy soils during the 'bulking up' period improves potato yield and quality as Multi-K enables a continuous supply of potassium during this critical period. The potato plant takes up about 40% of its total potassium requirements during 40 to 50 days after its emergence and the remaining 60% during the bulking up period which extends from approximately 50 days after emergence for up to 120 days.

Side-dressing with Multi-K contributes 17 30% to yield production and some 33% to the number of large, high quality potatoes in the crop.

Side-dressing has additional benefits as less wastage occurs, the Grower will enjoy lower fertilizing costs and increase the crop's earning power for the current season; environment is safeguarded for future crops as Multi-K side-dressing prevents leaching damage to underground water sources.

Nutrient Removal

Essential Nutrients for Quality Potato

Fertilizer Management for Potato

General Recommended rates of nutrients Kg/ha

A. Base dressing

AN: Ammonium Nitrate N: 34%, K₂SO₄        Potassium Sulphate: K₂O: 50%
SSP: Single Super Phosphate : P₂O₅ 16%

B. Fertigation based on weekly irrigation

Trials conducted in the University of Agricultural Sciences – Bangalore

Foliar application of Multi-K on number of tubers, tuber weight, fresh weight of tubers, dry weight of tubers total tuber and marketable tuber yield of Potato grown from TPS transplants.

Control: Soil application of recommended dose of fertilizers @ 125: 100 : 125 kg NPK / ha

Effect of foliar application of Multi-K on grade wise yield of tuber (t/ha) of TPS transplants.

Control: Soil application of recommended dose of fertilizers @ 125: 100 : 125 kg NPK / ha Effect of foliar application of multi-K on quality attributes of tubers.

Soil application of recommended dose of fertilizers @ 125: 100 : 125 kg NPK / ha

Edited and Compiled by Dr. SVS Subrahmanyam, Development and Technical Services