Abstract:
Potatoes require adequate nitrogen to produce quality tubers and high yields. Organic farming practices are designed to build soil nutrient levels
gradually. In organic systems, nitrogen (N) enters the soil in the form of crop residue and amendments (e.g., manures, composts, and specialty products).
Much of the N added to the soil is held in organic forms not immediately available for crop uptake. A soil with 3 percent organic matter in the top foot contains about 5,000 lb N per acre. However, only a small fraction of soil organic N is released in plant-available forms each year through a process called mineralization.
