Abstract

VILLA, Martín Rodrigo  and  BARRIENTOS, Juan Carlos. Increased profitability of the yellow potato crop by fertilization with manganese. rev.colomb.cienc.hortic. [online]. 2012, vol.6, n.1, pp.67-75. ISSN 2011-2173.

Manganese (Mn) is important in photosynthesis and formation of soluble carbohydrates in the plant. The addition of Mn in the fertilization of potato cultivation in Colombia is not common. However, studies show that adding Mn to crops has favorable effects on production and product quality, especially in areas with low levels of this nutrient. Improved production can also mean improved profitability. Under this scenario, this paper aimed to experimentally determine increased profitability by adding Mn in the fertilization of the yellow potato in Colombia. This study was conducted in the first half of 2008 in the municipality of El Rosal, Cundinamarca; adding 2 kg ha^-1 of Mn (Mn sulfate) to the fertilization. The results show that the application of Mn in yellow potato crops increases yield by 52% and percentage (from 42% to 58%) of first quality products. Revenues increased similarly to yield (58%). Total production costs/ha increased by 11%, but the unit cost decreased by 27%. Finally, the results show an increase in profitability from 19% to 69%. The application of Mn (Mn sulfate) is a viable option for the nutritional management of the yellow potato in Colombia, and is also economically favorable.

Keywords : micronutrients; yields; quality; revenue; costs.

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