Role of Zinc in Potato Production

Zinc resembles manganese and magnesium in that it acts as a binding agent in enzymatic reactions. In this way it is important in protecting proteins from denaturing. Therefore, zinc has a major role to play in nitrogen metabolism and deficient crops will have lower levels of protein. Starch content is also affected by zinc. Zinc is also necessary for auxin formation and to cell division and elongation.

Foliar zinc and yield

Yield responses to zinc can be expected in crops grown on soils with a low or high pH if the zinc levels are low, can be seen in studies in Chile.

Zinc and powdery scab

Zinc is commonly used to suppress powdery scab where the innoculum is at low levels. Only soil applications are likely to provide sufficient zinc to have an effect on powdery scab, as trials in Scotland show.

General guidelines for zinc application

Yield responses to zinc can be expected in crops grown on soils with a low or high pH if the zinc levels are low.

Zinc is commonly used to suppress powdery scab where the innoculum is at low levels. Only soil applications are likely to provide sufficient zinc to have an effect on powdery scab.

However, zinc should only be used as part of an integrated control strategy supported by other agronomic measures to limit soil infection alongside a choice of more resistant varieties.