Potassium (K) fertilization is a crucial component of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) production. The basis for K fertilizer recommendations in sweet potato production varies greatly and relies on studies conducted in the late 1950s–1970s. Changes in agronomic practices and increasing costs emphasize the need to revisit fertilizer recommendations. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of seven different K fertilizer (K₂O) application rates on sweet potato storage root yield, tissue K concentration, and economic implications in Mississippi. Incremental applications of K fertilizer did not influence sweet potato yield at any grade. Leaf tissue K concentration exhibited a quadratic trend in response to K fertilizer rate, with maximum leaf and root K content achieved at 269 and 404 kg·ha⁻¹ K₂O, respectively. Both the predicted K application rate for maximum yield and maximum profitability were the same, at 174 kg·ha⁻¹ K₂O. Accordingly, comparable sweet potato yields were achieved while applying substantially less fertilizer than the recommended rate. Further research is warranted to examine the impacts of only potassium fertilizer applications on soil characteristics and temporal trends in sweet potato potassium uptake, as well as refine fertilization recommendations for sweet potato production.

Potassium (K) fertilization is a crucial component of sweet potato (<i>Ipomoea batatas L.</i>) production. The basis for K fertilizer recommendations in sweet potato production varies greatly and relies on studies conducted in the late 1950s–1970s. Changes in agronomic practices and increasing costs emphasize the need to revisit fertilizer recommendations. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of seven different K fertilizer (K₂O) application rates on sweet potato storage root yield, tissue K concentration, and economic implications in Mississippi. Incremental applications of K fertilizer did not influence sweet potato yield at any grade. Leaf tissue K concentration exhibited a quadratic trend in response to K fertilizer rate, with maximum leaf and root K content achieved at 269 and 404 kg·ha⁻¹ K₂O, respectively. Both the predicted K application rate for maximum yield and maximum profitability were the same, at 174 kg·ha⁻¹ K₂O. Accordingly, comparable sweet potato yields were achieved while applying substantially less fertilizer than the recommended rate. Further research is warranted to examine the impacts of only potassium fertilizer applications on soil characteristics and temporal trends in sweet potato potassium uptake, as well as refine fertilization recommendations for sweet potato production.

Potassium (K) fertilization is a crucial component of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) production. The basis for K fertilizer recommendations in sweet potato production varies greatly and relies on studies conducted in the late 1950s&ndash:1970s. Changes in agronomic practices and increasing costs emphasize the need to revisit fertilizer recommendations. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of seven different K fertilizer (K2O) application rates on sweet potato storage root yield, tissue K concentration, and economic implications in Mississippi. Incremental applications of K fertilizer did not influence sweet potato yield at any grade. Leaf tissue K concentration exhibited a quadratic trend in response to K fertilizer rate, with maximum leaf and root K content achieved at 269 and 404 kg&middot:ha&minus:1 K2O, respectively. Both the predicted K application rate for maximum yield and maximum profitability were the same, at 174 kg&middot:ha&minus:1 K2O. Accordingly, comparable sweet potato yields were achieved while applying substantially less fertilizer than the recommended rate. Further research is warranted to examine the impacts of only potassium fertilizer applications on soil characteristics and temporal trends in sweet potato potassium uptake, as well as refine fertilization recommendations for sweet potato production.

The production of nutritious food amongst rural farmers has been a challenge for m Cany years. Challenges can be attributed to many factors, including poor access to water, use of old planting methods, financial challenges, etc. Therefore, new climate-smart technologies (CSTs) were introduced to the farmers. The CSTs implemented in the study were in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) techniques compared with conventional production (CON). These technologies were applied in combination with sound agronomic management practices, such as mulching and fertilizer application, to produce cabbage, beetroot, spinach and orange-fleshed sweet potato. The vegetables produced were harvested and their nutritional composition analysed to assess whether or not agronomic treatments, water-use technology and season affected their micronutrient levels, with a particular focus on provitamin A and mineral levels. The main finding of the study was that the nutrient levels of the vegetables can be enhanced by adopting IRWH technology combined with different agronomic treatments, especially including mulching as one of the treatment combinations. Limitations: Farmer research participants did not always adhere to research agreements, particularly regarding reserving vegetable samples for analyses. As a result, some experiment replicates are missing. Value: The study findings are of socio-economic significance as they demonstrate that rural, small-scale farmers can apply local, accessible and appropriate agronomic treatments and water-use technologies to achieve economically viable yields of nutritive vegetables to enhance food and nutrition security and household livelihoods of the farmers.

The production of nutritious food amongst rural farmers has been a challenge for m Cany years. Challenges can be attributed to many factors, including poor access to water, use of old planting methods, financial challenges, etc. Therefore, new climate-smart technologies (CSTs) were introduced to the farmers. The CSTs implemented in the study were in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) techniques compared with conventional production (CON). These technologies were applied in combination with sound agronomic management practices, such as mulching and fertilizer application, to produce cabbage, beetroot, spinach and orange-fleshed sweet potato. The vegetables produced were harvested and their nutritional composition analysed to assess whether or not agronomic treatments, water-use technology and season affected their micronutrient levels, with a particular focus on provitamin A and mineral levels. The main finding of the study was that the nutrient levels of the vegetables can be enhanced by adopting IRWH technology combined with different agronomic treatments, especially including mulching as one of the treatment combinations. Limitations: Farmer research participants did not always adhere to research agreements, particularly regarding reserving vegetable samples for analyses. As a result, some experiment replicates are missing. Value: The study findings are of socio-economic significance as they demonstrate that rural, small-scale farmers can apply local, accessible and appropriate agronomic treatments and water-use technologies to achieve economically viable yields of nutritive vegetables to enhance food and nutrition security and household livelihoods of the farmers.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important tuber crop that is highly affected by poor soil fertility and nutrient disparities. Nutrient depletion due to intensive monocropping and poor soil management practices is a serious problem in Ethiopia, including in northwestern areas. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in the East Gojjam zone of northwestern Ethiopia to evaluate the influence of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates on potato tuber production. Three phosphorus levels (0, 34.5, and 69 kg/ha⁻¹) and four potassium levels (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg/ha⁻¹) were set out in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times using a randomized complete block design. Data on growth and quality parameters, as well as plant tissue analysis results, were collected. According to the results, the main effects of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates statistically affected growth components. The combined effects of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers had a significant influence on quality components (tuber size distribution). Similarly, the interaction effects of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates gave the highest response in all nutrient use efficiency parameters. The combined application of 34.5 kg P₂O₅ and 200 kg K₂O fertilizers resulted in the highest medium (28.32 ton/ha⁻¹) and large-sized (20.0 ton/ha⁻¹) tuber yields. The interaction effect of 34.5 kg P₂O₅ with 100 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ yielded the highest agronomic and recovery efficiency values. Hence, a combination of 34.5 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ and 200 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ fertilizer rates can be recommended for the optimal production of potato in the northwestern area.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important tuber crop that is highly affected by poor soil fertility and nutrient disparities. Nutrient depletion due to intensive monocropping and poor soil management practices is a serious problem in Ethiopia, including in northwestern areas. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in the East Gojjam zone of northwestern Ethiopia to evaluate the influence of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates on potato tuber production. Three phosphorus levels (0, 34.5, and 69 kg/ha−1) and four potassium levels (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg/ha−1) were set out in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times using a randomized complete block design. Data on growth and quality parameters, as well as plant tissue analysis results, were collected. According to the results, the main effects of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates statistically affected growth components. The combined effects of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers had a significant influence on quality components (tuber size distribution). Similarly, the interaction effects of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates gave the highest response in all nutrient use efficiency parameters. The combined application of 34.5 kg P2O5 and 200 kg K2O fertilizers resulted in the highest medium (28.32 ton/ha−1) and large-sized (20.0 ton/ha−1) tuber yields. The interaction effect of 34.5 kg P2O5 with 100 kg K2O ha−1 yielded the highest agronomic and recovery efficiency values. Hence, a combination of 34.5 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 200 kg K2O ha−1 fertilizer rates can be recommended for the optimal production of potato in the northwestern area.

Rice-based systems have recently been recognized as the most critical plant source of C emissions worldwide. Globally, rice production is highest in Asia. Actions to introduce sustainable intensification practices into existing rice lands or diversifying with lower C-emitting crops such as potatoes will be crucial to mitigate climate change. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of potato cultivation under zero/minimum-tillage and/or organic mulching (with emphasis on rice-straw) (PZTM) on key performance indicators that are crucial to achieving agronomic gains in Asia. Forty-nine studies were selected and systematically reviewed to address the study objective. Studies reveal a consensus of increase in yield, profitability, nutrient-use efficiency, and water productivity, promoted by the significant soil moisture conservation in PZTM. There is inconsistent evidence that zero-tillage benefits weed control, but its effectiveness is enhanced by mulching. Even if soil organic matter is increased (+13–33%) and zero-tillage is the main factor driving the reduction in C footprint, no values of kg CO₂ eqha⁻¹ have been reported in PZTM to date. Only a small fraction (∼2%) of the rice-cultivated areas (RCA) is intensified with potato cultivation. That way, scaling-up PZTM among rice farmers has large potential (∼24% RCA) to increase the sustainable intensification of rice-based systems in Asia.

Rice-based systems have recently been recognized as the most critical plant source of C emissions worldwide. Globally, rice production is highest in Asia. Actions to introduce sustainable intensification practices into existing rice lands or diversifying with lower C-emitting crops such as potatoes will be crucial to mitigate climate change. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of potato cultivation under zero/minimum-tillage and/or organic mulching (with emphasis on rice-straw) (PZTM) on key performance indicators that are crucial to achieving agronomic gains in Asia. Forty-nine studies were selected and systematically reviewed to address the study objective. Studies reveal a consensus of increase in yield, profitability, nutrient-use efficiency, and water productivity, promoted by the significant soil moisture conservation in PZTM. There is inconsistent evidence that zero-tillage benefits weed control, but its effectiveness is enhanced by mulching. Even if soil organic matter is increased (+13–33%) and zero-tillage is the main factor driving the reduction in C footprint, no values of kg CO2 eqha−1 have been reported in PZTM to date. Only a small fraction (∼2%) of the rice-cultivated areas (RCA) is intensified with potato cultivation. That way, scaling-up PZTM among rice farmers has large potential (∼24% RCA) to increase the sustainable intensification of rice-based systems in Asia.

Rice-based systems have recently been recognized as the most critical plant source of C emissions worldwide. Globally, rice production is highest in Asia. Actions to introduce sustainable intensification practices into existing rice lands or diversifying with lower C-emitting crops such as potatoes will be crucial to mitigate climate change. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of potato cultivation under zero/minimum-tillage and/or organic mulching (with emphasis on rice-straw) (PZTM) on key performance indicators that are crucial to achieving agronomic gains in Asia. Forty-nine studies were selected and systematically reviewed to address the study objective. Studies reveal a consensus of increase in yield, profitability, nutrient-use efficiency, and water productivity, promoted by the significant soil moisture conservation in PZTM. There is inconsistent evidence that zero-tillage benefits weed control, but its effectiveness is enhanced by mulching. Even if soil organic matter is increased (+13–33%) and zero-tillage is the main factor driving the reduction in C footprint, no values of kg CO₂ eqha⁻¹ have been reported in PZTM to date. Only a small fraction (∼2%) of the rice-cultivated areas (RCA) is intensified with potato cultivation. That way, scaling-up PZTM among rice farmers has large potential (∼24% RCA) to increase the sustainable intensification of rice-based systems in Asia.