EFFECT OF NITROGEN-FERTILIZATION ON GLYCOALKALOID AND NITRATE CONTENT OF POTATOES

The effect of nitrogen fertilization on the total glycoalkaloid (TGA) and nitrate content of potato tubers was investigated on six cultivars in each of two consecutive years. Ammonium nitrate was applied to the soil at rates of 56, 168, and 224 kg/ha during the first year and 112, 168, and 224 kg/ ha during the second year of the study. Significant increases in both TGA and nitrate nitrogen occurred in all six cultivars with nitrogen fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization at the rate of 224 kg/ha resulted in tubers containing the highest levels of both TGA and nitrate nitrogen. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.