Accumulation and distribution of calcium, magnesium, and sulfur in potato (Solanum tuberosum Group Andigenum) cultivars Diacol Capiro and Pastusa Suprema

The potato crop has a high response to nutrient application; however, knowledge about requirements and management of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) is scarce. It is important to study the accumulation, as well as translocation and use efficiencies, of these nutrients, considering the influence of genotype and environment variables. The objective of this research was to establish the nutrient curves for accumulation, as well as for translocation, use, and recovery efficiencies, of Ca, Mg and S for two potato cultivars of the Andigenum Group in two production cycles (2013-2016) and two localities (Chocontá and Facatativá) with contrasting edaphoclimatic conditions. Diacol Capiro and Pastusa Suprema cultivars were evaluated under two fertilization regimes (0 and 100% of the recommended dose for all essential nutrients). Data on fresh and dry weight, and Ca, Mg, and S content were recorded at five sampling moments, from main stem formation to tuber maturation. The highest accumulation of Ca, Mg, and S was obtained in Facatativá, however the highest translocation, use and recovery efficiencies of nutrients were obtained in Chocontá. Capiro showed higher sink strength, with a higher translocation efficiency compared to Suprema. Nutrient accumulation in tubers (kg ha-1) followed the order of Ca (147) > Mg (66) > S (52), while translocation efficiencies at harvest wereS (44%) > Mg (32%) > Ca (6%). Cultivars had different patterns of accumulation, translocation, and Ca, Mg, and S use, which also varied with locality. Capiro was better adapted to high fertility soil conditions and Suprema had better performance in low fertility soils.