The Effect of Nitrogen Dose and Plant Density Interactions on Potato Yield and Quality in Dry Cultivation: The Role of Photosynthesis and C–N Metabolism

Haofeng Meng, Chunyan Wang, Lingling Li (), Xiaoyan Bao, Xin Tian, Junhong Xie, Linlin Wang and Zhuzhu Luo
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Haofeng Meng: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Chunyan Wang: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Lingling Li: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Xiaoyan Bao: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Xin Tian: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Junhong Xie: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Linlin Wang: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Zhuzhu Luo: College of Resources and Environment Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-21

Abstract: The problems of excessive nitrogen fertilizer application and mismatch between varieties and planting density are common in potato production in the dryland farming areas of Loess Plateau, and it is of great significance to select suitable nitrogen application rates and planting densities for the green and sustainable production of dryland potatoes in this area. In this study, Longshu 16 was selected as the potato variety, and we investigated two nitrogen application rates: 200 kg·hm −2 (N1), 300 kg·hm −2 (N2); and three planting densities: 37,500 plants·hm −2 (D1), 52,500 plants·hm −2 (D2), 67,500 plants·hm −2 (D3). The effects of different nitrogen fertilization rates and planting densities on photosynthetic characteristics, leaf carbon and nitrogen metabolism enzyme activities, and yield and quality of potato were measured and analyzed. The results showed that during the tuber swelling stage, the activity of ribose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (Rubisco) in potato leaves was increased by 9.05%. During the starch accumulation stage, the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) in potato leaves was increased by 3.02~22.34% in N1D2 treatment compared with other treatments, and the activity of glutamate synthase (GOGAT) was increased by 2.83~7.35% compared with other treatments. During the starch accumulation stage, the activity of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) in potato leaves was increased by 7.85~31.17% in N1D2 treatment compared with other treatments. The contents of protein, starch, vitamin C, and calcium in potato tubers in N1D2 treatment were the highest, and the yield was the highest in N1D2 treatment. In conclusion, the recommended nitrogen application rate of 200 kg·hm −2 and planting density of 52,500 plants·hm −2 in dry-fed potato production improved the yield and quality of potato by enhancing activities of GAPDH, GS, and AGPase.

Keywords: potato; nitrogen application rate; planting density; enzyme activity; yield; quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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