Dry matter and macronutrient extraction curves of potato varieties in the Alto Paranaíba region, Brazil

ABSTRACT Information on plant nutrient extraction is of utmost importance for the management of fertilization in crops. The objective of the study was to determine the accumulation of dry matter mass in the tubers and aerial parts of the plants and to generate absorption curves of macronutrients N, P, K, Ca and Mg for the potato varieties Ágata, Asterix, Atlantic and Taurus. The shoot and tuber samples were collected at 6, 13, 54, 66, 70, 82 and 97 days after planting. The highest accumulation of dry matter was observed in the Asterix and Atlantic varieties. The varieties Asterix and Atlantic showed higher N and K extraction and, consequently, higher productivity, while Taurus and Ágata presented lower yields and nutrient extraction. The period of greatest demand for macronutrients for the varieties studied is during the tuber filling phase (40 days after plantation). The variation between potato varieties in macronutrient extraction indicates a need for differential management fertilization of the plants.