Effect of fertilization on uptake and distribution of molybdenum in potato plants

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of fertilization on Molybdenum uptake and distribution in different organs of potato(Variety: Zihuabai)in the Tumochuan plain, Inner Mongolia. Four fertilizer treatments were set up, i.e. manure(M), nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers(NP), manure combined with N and P fertilizers(M+NP)and a control(CK). Results indicated that Mo concentration in plants ranged from 0.73 to 1.83 mg/kg and the average Mo concentration throughout whole growth stages in leaves, stems and tubers was 3.20, 0.98, and 0.57 mg/kg, respectively. The amount of Mo uptake in the whole plant and organs presented a S curve with the growth and was well expressed by a simple cubic equation. The maximum of Mo absorption rate and accumulation in plant occurred at 55 and 85 days after emergence, respectively. The Mo content transferred to tube at harvesting accounted for 31% of total Mo in plant. The amount of Mo needed to produce 1000 kg tubes was 0.506 g and the consumption coefficient was 0.00017. Our experiment proved that fertilization increased Mo content, absorption rate and accumulation of potato significantly. Combined application of organic manure with N and P fertilizers had a positive interaction effect on Mo uptake.