Optimum potato growth and profitable production depend on many management factors, one of which is ensuring a sufficient supply of nutrients. There are 14 soil-derived elements or nutrients considered to be essential for growth of plants. When the supply of nutrients from the soil is not adequate to meet the demands for growth, fertilizer application becomes necessary. Potatoes have a shallow root system and a relatively high demand for many nutrients. Therefore, a comprehensive nutrient management program is essential for maintaining a healthy potato crop, optimizing tuber yield and quality, and minimizing undesirable impacts on the environment.

Irrigated potatoes are usually grown on coarse-textured soils low in organic matter. Typically, these soils are sandy loams or loamy sands, low in native fertility, and quite acid. High nutrient demand coupled with low native fertility often results in high fertilizer requirements for irrigated potato production. Over the years, however, continued fertilizer applications can build up the soil test levels of certain nutrients. Environmental concerns, especially for nitrogen leaching, are also an important factor in fertilizer use on irrigated sandy soils. A sound nutrient management program for potatoes to ensure optimum crop nutrition without adverse effects on water quality should be based on soil test recommendations, plant tissue testing, the variety grown and the time of harvest, yield goal, and the previous crop in the rotation.