B. E. Brown

Bio: B. E. Brown is an academic researcher from United States Department of Agriculture. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fertilizer & Agriculture. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 13 publications receiving 32 citations.

Minor element studies on potatoes in Maine

Abstract: The study presented in this paper was made to determine what effect the addition of certain of the so-called minor or secondary ele. ments might have on the growth and yield of potatoes when grown on Caribou loam in Aroostook County, Maine. The study was an outgrowth of the serious magnesmm deficiency that developed about IO to 12 years ago in Caribou loam, the leading potato soil in Aroostook County. Insofar as the magnesium deficiency was concerned remedial measures from a practical standpoint proved to be fairly simple. These consisted in (a) the addition of an available magnesium compound, such as calcined magnesium sulphate, to the potato fertilizer; (b) the application of finely ground dolomitic limestone directly to the soil as a means of counteracting excessive soil acidity and supplying magnesium; and (c) a combination of both (6) . Boron, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc are recognized as elements necessary for the proper functioning of green plants (IO). Increased crop yields have resulted under certain conditions with the application of salts of these elements (I , 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, II , 12, I3) . For these reasons it seemed advisable to determine whether these elements are furnished in satisfactory quantities by the soil or whether the addition of these elements would increase the yield of potatoes on Caribou loam.

Further studies on the placement of fertilizer for potatoes

Abstract: The efficiency of a potato fertilizer depends not only upon its composition, the rate at which it is applied, but also upon where in the furrow there was only a slight difference in yield as compared with complete fertilizer applied at each side of the seed piece. The main implication suggested by the results is that potato fertilizer may be rendered more efficient by applying it not as a complete fertilizer but by what might be termed a differential placement. In view of the fact that superphosphate is believed to promote root development the placement of this constituent in contact with the seed piece, especially as it exerts no appreciable injurious action when applied at normal rates, would appear desirable. As certain nitrogen materials when in contact with the seed piece cause the most injury it would seem desirable that they be placed on each side of the seed piece in combination with the potash materials not only to avoid injurious effects but to promote the efficiency of the potato fertilizer as much as possible. From a yield standpoint the divided placement, over the two-year period, (Treatment 6), gave a yield that was 27.5 bushels greater than that obtained when the complete fertilizer was applied in a band on each side of the seed piece (Treatment 2). The results presented herein, although obtained over a two-year period on one soil type, suggest strongly that all the ingredients of a potato fertilizer do not necessarily render their greatest efficiency when applied as a complete fertilizer even though the method of application, side placement, is known to be favorable to emergence, stand and yield. Finally, it should be considered that the only phosphati material used in the present study was ordinary superphosphate, containing 18 per cent P2O5. Just how other phosphates, such as ammonium phosphate, would have behaved, if similarly applied, was not determined.

Influence of micronutrients on growth and yield of potatoes

Abstract: These sudies were made to determine possibility of micronutrients limiting potato yield when high levels of nitrogen with adequate phosphorus and potassium were used. The results indicated that micronutrients had no significant influence on plant characters and yield of potatoes under conditions of experiments. Application of 75 lb P2O5 with 300 lb N/acre significantly increased yield over 300 lb N/acre alone. An adequate level of potassium (75 lb K2O/acre) was desirable when a level of 300 lb N/acre was used.

Correlations among applied nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and responses of the potato plant

Abstract: These studies were made to determine correlations among applied nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and responses of the potato plant on sandy loam soils in Panjab. Nitrogen was observed to be the most potent factor affecting the plant characters. Phosphorus also influenced plant and tuber development, however, not consistently; while potassium was of secondary importance. Nitrogen principally contributed to increased yield through increase in weight of tubers. Total and partial correlations revealed that the association between yield and weight per tuber was consequent upon the number of leaves and height of plants.

Influence of zinc concentration in nutrient solution on growth and elemental content of the Katahdin potato plant

Abstract: Hoagland’s solutions containing nine levels of zinc ranging from 0 to 50 ppm were applied as a drench tri-weekly to potato plants (cultivar Katahdin) growing in perlite. Although no deficiency symptoms were observed during the 46-day growing period, varying degrees of toxicity were associated with solution concentrations of 25 ppm Zn and higher. The tissue concentration necessary to induce toxicity symptoms appeared to fall between 648 and 932 ppm Zn, with an indication that growth may be reduced at tissue concentrations less than 648 ppm. Solution concentrations in excess of 20 ppm Zn caused a significant reduction in dry weight of top, root and rhizome portions, and number of secondary rhizomes. Increasing Zn treatment concentrations influenced elemental tissue content as follows: Al, Ca, Mn, Mo and Zn increased, B increased only at 40 ppm Zn or above, N and K decreased and P, Mg and Fe contents were generally decreased by the addition of Zn. Cu content was unaffected.

Effect of soil applications of magnesium sulfate and dolomite on the quality of potato tubers

Abstract: The effect of two different sources of magnesium fertilization, Epsom salt (MgSO4·7H2O) or dolomite (MgCO3·CaCO3), on enzymatic discoloration, phenolic, crude lipid, phospholipid and Mg content, of Katahdin potatoes was studied over a 3 yr. period. Tubers grown in soils receiving either Epsom salt, or dolomite, were compared with control tubers receiving no added magnesium. Tubers from plants receiving Epsom salt discolored the least, were lowest in phenols and highest in crude lipid, phospholipid and Mg contents. However, when dolomite was the source of Mg the tubers discolored more, were higher in phenols, and were lower in Mg content than control tubers. The source of Mg fertilizer was very important in determining the quality of tubers.

Sources of potassium in potato fertilizer and times of application

Abstract: Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L. ’Kennebec’) receiving similar N, P and K nutrition showed no consistent changes in yield, specific gravity and quality of boiled tubers when K2SO4 and KNO3 were substituted for the commonly-used KCl. Broadcasting three-quarters of the K as KCl the previous fall, compared with banding at planting, had no effect on yield or quality.