| Abstract: | ENTEC, abbreviation for ecological nitrogen technology, which is compound fertilizer with nitrate inhibitor from BASF Germany, can reduce nitrogen application rate by less nitrate leaching and save labor in European for many crops, but little experience in China potato production. In order to save labor input and increase fertilizer efficiency in China potato production, field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of ENTEC on yield increase of various potato varieties at different sites, and benefits and cost at each site were estimated thereafter. The results showed that ENTEC increased potato yields over traditional fertilizer at all sites with percentage in the range between 8%~20%, and more marketable tuber as well. Moreover, sizes of potato tubers with ENTEC are more homogenous than those with traditional fertilizer. Rate of ENTEC applied is less than traditional fertilizer, and times of application are reduced, which results in labor input saving. Although cost of ENTEC is higher than traditional fertilizer, the benefits of ENTEC is also higher, which compensate for the higher cost of ENTEC input. Benefit of more potato harvested with ENTEC in RMB currency is 1000 yuan/hm^2, 2640 yuan/hm^2, 2417 yuan/hm^2, 1484 yuan/hm^2, and 5400 yuan/hm^2, for Heilongjiang, Hebei, Neimeng, Yunnan, and Guandong, respectively. In summary, that fertilize potato with ENTEC is economical viable for all sites which offers a new perspective for potato nutrients management. |
