Response of fall season potato crop to different calcium levels

Abstract

High temperature has a negative effect on potato growth and productivity. This negative effect was reported to be mitigated by Calcium application. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of applying different levels of calcium chloride on and productivity of potato plants during periods of high the growth. To achieve this goal, seed tubers cv. Cara were planted in pots (30 cm diameter) filled with sandy soil during the two early fall seasons of 1996 and 1997. Calcium, in the form of Calcium chloride, was added to the soil at concentrations of 6.6, 15, 21.6, 28.2 and 34.8 g Ca/plant. Calcium treatments were applied in six times throughout the growing season (35, 45, 55, 60, 70 and 80 days after planting). Results showed that calcium applications up to the medium concentrations promoted some morphological parameters such as stem length, number of leaves and stems, and total leaf area and some chemical parameters such as total chlorophyll content and dry matter content of haulm and tubers. Tuber yield was improved as well. Meanwhile, the highest two levels of Ca2+ (28.2 and 34.8 g Ca2+/plant) reduced all parameters under high temperatures onditions.