Michigan State University Extension
Soils & Soil Management - Fertilizer - 06109710
07/10/97
Potato Fertilizer Recommendations Extension Bulletin E-2220, April 1990
Maurice L. Vitosh Extension Soil Specialist Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Deficiencies of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and boron (B) are the only micronutrient deficiencies recognized in potatoes in Michigan. Manganese and Zn deficiencies can occur in both organic and mineral soils. Copper and B deficiencies are recognized only in organic soils. Potatoes are classified as having a high response to Mn, medium response to Zn, and low response to Cu and B. Iron (Fe) and molybdenum (Mo) deficiencies do not occur in Michigan. Realistic Yield Goals
Nutrient Management to Protect Water Quality Extension Bulletin WQ-25, January 1996
Maurice L. Vitosh and Lee W. Jacobs Extension Soil Specialists Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Michigan State University
Recent surveys have shown that many crop producers are overly optimistic in assessing their yield goals. Because fertilizer recommendations are normally based on yield goal, selecting an unrealistically high yield goal leads to over-fertilization and loss of farm income and potentially threatens water quality. The key is to select a yield goal that is both realistic and achievable, based on soil potential and level of crop management utilized. The farmer should achieve a yield goal at least 50 percent of the time before that yield goal is used to determine the appropriate fertilizer recommendations. If the desired goal is seldom achieved, factors other than soil fertility may be limiting yield.