This section presents practical examples of potato fertilizer schedules tailored to specific cultivation methods, environmental conditions, and yield goals.
Note: These programs should be used as general guidelines. The final fertilization protocol must be adapted to the actual crop needs, soil type, water quality, variety, and – above all – the grower’s own experience.
Haifa offers a wide array of fertilization strategies to meet the specific demands of potato cultivation:
- Nutrigation™ (fertigation-based programs)
- Controlled-release nutrition with Multicote™ Agri
- Side-dressing with Multi-K™ potassium nitrate
- Combined fertilization practices
- Foliar nutrition to correct deficiencies or boost performance
Nutrigation™ Programs with NutriNet™
Nutrigation™ enables precise, real-time application of nutrients through irrigation systems. With Haifa’s NutriNet™ tool, you can build customized fertilization programs that suit your growth conditions, crop stages, and environmental considerations. The platform also allows you to calculate and compare environmental impacts.
Example: Potato Fertilizer Program (Shaanxi, China)
Plot Size: 10 ha
Target Yield: 75 ton/ha
Nutrient requirements:
| Stage | Days | Macronutrients (kg/ha) | Secondary nutrients (kg/ha) | micronutrients (g/ha) | |||||||||
N total | P2O5 | K2O | CaO | MgO | SO4 | Fe | Mn | Zn | Cu | Mo | B | ||
Bud bursting | 20 | 45 | 15 | 75 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 420 | 210 | 84 | 60 | 42 | 30 |
Seedling | 20 | 30 | 30 | 120 | 45 | 15 | 22.5 | 472.5 | 236.25 | 94.5 | 67.5 | 47.25 | 33.75 |
Tuber setting | 30 | 75 | 30 | 105 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 2531.25 | 425.25 | 506.25 | 263.25 | 243 | 182.25 |
Tuber development | 20 | 75 | 30 | 90 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 540 | 270 | 90 | 54 | 48 | 39 |
Mature - Harvest | 30 | 30 | 15 | 30 | 30 | 15 | 22.5 | 472.5 | 236.25 | 94.5 | 67.5 | 47.25 | 33.75 |
Total | 120 | 255 | 120 | 420 | 150 | 90 | 105 | 4436.25 | 1377.75 | 869.25 | 512.25 | 427.5 | 318.75 |
Nutrigation™ recipe
Bud bursting | Seedling | Tuber setting | Tuber development | Maturation & harvest | ||
| Tank A (1000 l) | 107.661 kg | 134.635 kg | 106.182 kg | 85.19 kg | 122.35 kg | |
| 39.462 kg |
|
| 60.254 kg | ||
18.002 kg |
| 25.364 kg | 23.742 kg | 16.574 kg | ||
Borax | 193.505 gram | 203.394 gram | 828.14 gram | 165.877 gram | 821.546 gram | |
Ammonium sulfate | 74.143 kg |
|
| 90.902 kg |
| |
| 25.7 kg | 67.625 kg |
|
| ||
Injection volume | 67.18 l/day/ha | 73.75 l/ha/day | 65.21 l/day/ha | 102.49 l/ha/day | 12.17 l/ha/da | |
Tanks per plot for the whole stage | 13.5 | 14.75 | 19.75 | 20.5 | 3.75 | |
| Tank B (1000 l) | 25.297 kg | 117.452 kg | 24.093 kg | 69.941 kg | 60.096 kg | |
167.593 kg | 76.448 kg | 159.618 kg | 123.562 kg | 124.939 kg | ||
1.985 kg | 1.7 kg | 1.915 kg | 1.882 kg | 1.665 kg | ||
491.606 gram | 421.004 kg | 1.027 kg | 326.205 gram | 412.298 gram | ||
3.945 kg | 3.389 kg | 11.371 kg | 3.745 kg | 3.311 kg | ||
688.248 gram | 589.406 gram | 1.975 kg | 543.674 gram | 577.217 gram | ||
Injection volume | 40.68 l/ha/day | 54.63 l/ha/day | 57.44 l/ha/day | 55.18 l/ha/day | 36.38 l/ha/day | |
Tanks per plot for the whole stage | 8.25 | 11 | 17.25 | 11.25 | 11 | |
View the detailed program on NutriNet
Additional NutriNet™ programs:
- Weekly program for potatoes in Israel, expected yield: 60 MT/ha
- Nutrigation of potatoes during hot season in Israel, expected yield: 70 MT/ha
Controlled-Release Nutrition with Multicote™ Agri
Multicote™ Agri fertilizers gradually release nutrients in sync with plant demands, enabling one-time application at planting. This improves nutrient use efficiency and significantly reduces the number of fertilizer applications.
Application Guidelines:
Application rate | % coated nutrients | |||||
N | P2O5 | K2O | N | P2O5 | K2O | |
| Light soil | 60-70 | 100 | 70 | 70 | - | Up to 50 |
| Heavy soil | 70-90 | 100 | 80 | 50-60 | - | Up to 50 |
* These figures refer to areas where nitrogen application rates are not restricted by regulations. If nitrogen application is restricted, calculation of Multicote Agri application rates should be based on the full optimum rates that would have been given with no restrictions.
Use the MultiMatch™ tool to suit Multicote™ Agri formula and application rate to specific growth conditions.
Examples of Multicote™ Agri Recommendations:
Here are examples of suggested Multicote™ Agri fertilization protocol, suiting target yield of 60 ton/ha.
Growth conditions | Suggested formula | % coating | Application rate | |
Irrigation / precipitates | Soil type | |||
Irrigated or rain-fed in subtropical climate | Sandy soil | 14-6-23 (4M) | 75-35-75% | 1180 kg/ha |
Medium to heavy | 50-0-50% | 1290 kg/ha | ||
Semi-arid | Medium to heavy | 50-0-25% | 1320 kg/ha | |
Side-Dressing with Multi-K™ Potassium Nitrate
In conventional fertilization programs, Multi-K™ Agri prills are ideal for side-dressing, especially during periods of peak potassium demand or when soils are too wet for granular application.
Type of Potato | Timing |
Ware Potatoes | 5–8 weeks after planting |
Early Potatoes | After removing plastic cover |
Tip: Split the application into 2–4 doses every 15–20 days. Aerial application is useful in wet conditions or early spring when soil temperature is low.
Combined Fertilization Practices
For a complete nutritional approach, many growers combine basal granular fertilization with in-season Nutrigation™. Here's an example from South Africa:
Timing | Product | Rate (kg/ha) | N | P | P₂O₅ | K |
Pre-plant | Gypsum | 2000 | - | - | - | - |
At planting | Granular 8-29-20 | 1130 | 55 | 110 | 252 | 95 |
Weeks 1–4 | Poly-Feed™ 13-10-27 | 75 (2×/wk) | 80 | 27 | 61 | 133 |
Haifa Cal™ | 50 (1×/wk) | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Weeks 5–7 | Multi-K™ | 60 (2×/wk) | 55.2 | 0 | 0 | 110 |
Haifa Cal™ | 50 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Weeks 8–10 | Multi-K™ | 60 (3×/wk) | 54 | 0 | 0 | 158 |
Total Nutrition Supplied:
- N: 293 kg/ha
- P₂O₅: 313 kg/ha
- K₂O: 596 kg/ha
Foliar Nutrition
Foliar feeding is a fast, efficient way to supply nutrients during stress or deficiency. It ensures immediate availability and uptake of key elements.
| Product | Use | Recommended Conc. |
| Haifa Bonus™ | Potassium deficiency | 1%–3% |
| Haifa MAP™ | Phosphorus deficiency | 1%–3% |
| Haifa MKP™ | Phosphorus + potassium | 1%–3% |
| Haifa Mag™ | Magnesium deficiency | 1%–2% |
| Poly-Feed™ Foliar | Balanced NPK + micros | See table below |
| Haifa Micro™ | Micronutrient deficiencies | Consult agronomist |
Recommended foliar schedule:
| Growth Stage | Product | Concentration | Spray Volume |
| Vegetative Stage | Poly-Feed™ 21-21-21 | 2%–5% | 50–80 L/ha |
| Tuber Growth | Poly-Feed™ 12-5-40 | 2 applications at 2%–4% | 50–80 L/ha |
Smart Nitrogen Management with Croptune™
Just take a photo – and let Croptune™ do the rest.
This AI-based mobile app instantly analyzes your potato crop's nitrogen status, helping you fine-tune fertilization with precision. Croptune™ complies with ISO 17025 standards, ensuring professional-grade accuracy from your smartphone.
- Optimize nitrogen application
- Save time and costs
- Avoid over-fertilization
- Support higher yields and sustainability
