Screening for nitrogen-use efficiency in potato with a recirculating hydroponic system

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 NO 3- 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. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.