Effect of current-season application of calcitic lime and phosphorus fertilization on potato tuber phosphorus concentration and leaf chemical composition

Two glasshouse and three field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of current-season application of calcitic lime and phosphorus (P) fertilization on the leaf chemical composition of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars Russet Burbank, Crystal and Pontiac grown in acid Entisols. Rates of calcitic lime ranged from 0 to 20 t ha−1, and rates of P, applied as single superphosphate, ranged from 0 to 100 kg ha−1. Leaves (5th leaf from the growing tip) were sampled when the lengths of the longest tubers were 10, 60, and 100 mm. The application of lime significantly decreased tuber P, and leaf P, K, Cl, B, Zn, and Mn concentrations; increased leaf Ca, Mg, S, and Cl; or had no effect on leaf N, Cu and Fe concentrations, however, the effects were not consistent between experiments or over time. Phosphorus fertilization significantly increased tuber P and leaf P, N, Cl, and Zn concentrations; decreased K, Mg, S, Mn, and Fe concentrations; and increased or decreased Ca, B, and Cu concentrations i...