Screening for Nitrogen‐Use Efficiency in Potato with a Recirculating Hydroponic System

Abstract

Development of nitrogen (N)‐use‐efficient genotypes could reduce N fertilization and nitrate leaching; however, screening in field trials can be costly and time consuming. This study evaluated a rapid and economical methodology for screening of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars for N‐use efficiency. A hydroponic experiment was conducted with two solution NO₃ ⁻ concentrations (0.05 and 1.0 mM) and five potato cultivars (Atlantic, Chieftain, Red Pontiac, Russet Norkotah, and Shepody). Plants were harvested 30 days after transplanting. Root dry weight in combination with plant N accumulation was considered as a good indicator of N uptake efficiency in low solution NO₃ ⁻ concentration. Plant total dry weight (TDW) and plant N accumulation (PN) were highly correlated; therefore, TDW can be considered as an alternative criterion for PN when screening for N‐uptake efficiency. Chieftain had high N‐uptake efficiency and high N‐utilization efficiency whereas Russet Norkotah had low N‐uptake efficiency.

Keywords:

• Dry weight
• N accumulation
• root dry weight
• root length
• solution culture

Acknowledgments

Technical assistance was provided by Karen Terry, Mona Levesque, and Ginette Decker.