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Research on Crops

Influence of salicylic acid, calcium and iron on yield improvement and storage quality in potato processing


DOI: 10.31830/2348-7542.2025.ROC-1261    | Article Id: ROC-1261 | Page : 626-632
Citation :- Influence of salicylic acid, calcium and iron on yield improvement and storage quality in potato processing. Res. Crop. 26: 626-632
RASHA RAAD MOHAMMED, NABIL J. AL-AMIRY AND MAHA A. HUSSEIN rasha.raad@coagri.uobaghdad.edu.iq
Address : Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
Submitted Date : 5-11-2025
Accepted Date : 30-11-2025
Online Published:

Abstract

Potato has emerged as an important alternative to major staples like rice and wheat, yet rising food security challenges and high input costs threaten its sustainable production. Industrial potato cultivation demands high nutrient inputs, making crops vulnerable to soil depletion, stress, and reduced processing quality. Therefore, evaluating foliar supplementation with salicylic acid, calcium, and iron is essential to enhance growth, yield efficiency, and storage performance under spring and autumn conditions. This study aimed to explore the potential of improving both the production efficiency and postharvest storage behaviour of industrial-grade potato (Hermes hybrid) by applying different nutritional treatments. Two experiments, one field-based and one in cold storage, were conducted during 2022-2023 seasons at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad. A Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used with three factors (3×3×2×3). The first factor involved foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) at three concentrations: 0, 75, and 100 mg/L, labelled SA0, SA1 and SA2, respectively. The second factor consisted of calcium spraying at two concentrations: 0 and 2 ml/L, labelled Ca0 and Ca1. The third factor included foliar application of iron at three concentrations: 0, 1, and 2 ml/L, labelled Fe0, Fe1and Fe2. All possible combinations of these treatments were examined. The storage experiment, conducted in a private sector cold storage facility, followed the same experimental layout used in the field trial. The results of the triple interaction of the studied factors in the field experiment showed that foliar spraying with salicylic acid at a concentration of 100 mg/L, calcium at a concentration of 2 ml/L, and iron at a concentration of 2 ml/L (SA2Ca1Fe2) significantly enhanced vegetative growth, achieved the highest plant height (95.67, 93.00) cm and number of aerial stems 7.76 and 3.89 stems/ plant for both seasons, respectively. The same treatment also excelled in Quantitative Yield traits, Marketable yield per plant 631.30 g, Marketable yield 33.67 t/ha in Autumn. In the storage experiment (SA2Ca1Fe2) significantly enhanced the percentage of dry matter, tuber hardness, and specific gravity, reaching 11.97kg/cm2, 23.88% and 1.114, respectively.

Keywords

Growth potato production seed tubers shelf life sprouted eyes

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