Polymer Coated Urea in ‘Russet Burbank’ Potato: Yield and Tuber Quality

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer applied as polymer coated urea (PCU) may have the potential to improve potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of PCU on potato yield and quality. ‘Russet Burbank’ potato was grown at three Idaho, USA locations. Five rates of N (0, 33, 67, 100, and 133% of the recommended rate) were applied in all combinations of: PCU applied at emergence, urea applied at emergence, or urea split-applied. The PCU-fertilized treatments produced 11%, 11%, and 10% higher US No. 1, marketable and total tuber yields, respectively, than urea-split applied. PCU trended toward increased tuber size. At equivalent rates, PCU was more efficient than urea N in providing N to potato. These results confirm findings from other researchers that a single application of PCU fertilizer, just prior to emergence, can efficiently meet seasonal N requirements for Russet Burbank potato.