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Sustainable Potato Production: Global Case Studies pp 471–492Cite as

Effect of the Application of Humic Substances on Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Content of Potato Tubers in Egypt

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Abstract

Modern potato cultivation systems in the arid climate of Egypt require the use of non-traditional strategies to improve water use efficiency and soil nutrient supplies. This chapter reviews a few studies conducted in Egypt that used fertigation to apply humic substances (HS) to potato fields. When applied to soil, HS tend to increase moisture retention in the root zone, and therefore can increase irrigation efficiency. Moreover, HS can increase the nutrient content of soil and the nutrient supply potential, which is reflected in increased fertilizer use efficiency. In addition, application of HS can play a considerable role in increasing plant resistance against common potato diseases. Based on these effects, we conclude that application of HS to potato production systems can increase both quantitative and qualitative characteristics of tubers, and can also improve soil fertility and quality.

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  1. Soils Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

    Ahmed A. Mosa

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  1. Ahmed A. Mosa
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Correspondence to Ahmed A. Mosa .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Southern Regional Research Center, Robert E. Lee Blvd 1100, New Orleans, 70124, Louisiana, USA

    Zhongqi He

  2. , New England Plant Soil and Water Lab, University of Maine, Orono, 04469, Maine, USA

    Robert Larkin

  3. Natural resources Conservation Service, 14th and Independence Ave., SW Rm.5006‐S, Washington, 20250, District of Columbia, USA

    Wayne Honeycutt

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Mosa, A.A. (2012). Effect of the Application of Humic Substances on Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Content of Potato Tubers in Egypt. In: He, Z., Larkin, R., Honeycutt, W. (eds) Sustainable Potato Production: Global Case Studies. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4104-1_27

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