Background
China cultivates approximately 4.65 million hectares of potatoes, with large-scale production concentrated in the north, northwest, and northeast regions. In these areas, maximizing yield and tuber quality is essential for ensuring profitability.
However, fertilizer investment remains a sensitive factor, particularly when potato market prices fluctuate. Growers must carefully balance input costs with expected returns.
To evaluate both the agronomic and economic performance of an advanced nutrition strategy, a field trial was conducted in Inner Mongolia, comparing Haifa’s complete nutrition program with the grower’s conventional fertilization practice.
Trial details
The tested treatment combined Nutrigation with Poly-Feed™ GG formulas and foliar application of Haifa Micro™ products – delivering precise nutrition throughout the crop cycle:
| Stage | Fertilizer | Rate (kg/ha) | No. of applications |
| Nutrigation | |||
| Stem elongation | Poly-Feed™ GG 19-19-19 | 75 | 2 |
| Tuber initiation | Poly-Feed™ GG 16-8-32 | 75 | 2 |
| Foliar nutrition | |||
| Sowing | Haifa Micro™ Zn 15 | 0.125 | 1 |
| Stem elongation | Haifa Micro™ Zn 15 | 0.125 | 1 |
Haifa Micro™ Combi | 0.125 | 1 | |
| Tuber initiation | Haifa Micro™ Combi | 0.125 | 1 |
Haifa Micro™ Bor-feed | 0.075 | 1 | |
| Tuber bulking | Haifa Micro™ Combi | 0.125 | 1 |
Haifa Micro™ Bor-feed | 0.125 | 1 | |
This program was compared to the grower’s conventional practice.
All other inputs – including pesticides and labor – were identical between treatments, ensuring a clear comparison of fertilizer performance.
Field Observations
Throughout the growing season, plants treated with Haifa’s solution showed:
- Stronger vegetative growth
- Improved canopy development
- Uniform tuber formation
These agronomic improvements directly contributed to higher commercial yield.
| Haifa treatment | Farmer's practice | |
| July 27, 2025 |  |  |
| September 1, 2025 |  |  |
Yield Results and Economic Analysis
| Grower’s practice | Haifa treatment | Difference |
Tuber yield | 38.55 ton | 49.58 ton | 11.03 ton (+28.6%) |
Income* | 4338 $ | 5578 $ | 1240 $ |
Fertilizer cost | 1370 $ | 1843 $ | -473 $ |
Net benefit | 2968 $ | 3735 $ | 767 $ (+25.8%) |
* Based on a market price of 112.52 $US per ton of potatoes
The Economic Bottom Line
Although fertilizer investment increased by $473 per hectare, the additional yield generated $1,240 more income, resulting in:
- $767 additional net profit per hectare
- 25.8% higher profitability
- ROI of 1.6
In other words, every additional dollar invested in improved nutrition returned $1.60 to the grower.
Conclusions
The trial clearly demonstrated that investing in Haifa’s advanced nutrition strategy results in:
- Greater productivity
- Higher commodity yield
- Increased income per hectare
Even in price-sensitive markets, the yield advantage creates a compelling economic case.
Grow Better, Earn More
Haifa’s integrated plant nutrition solutions are designed not only to improve crop performance – but to maximize grower profitability.
Higher yield. Higher return. Proven in the field.
Report by Tianan Lin, Haifa China
