Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

0009-0008-2873-7756

Advisor

Reed, Vaughn

Committee Member

Harvey, Lorin

Committee Member

Bumguardner, Amee

Committee Member

Cox, Michael

Date of Degree

8-12-2026

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Plant & Soil Sciences (Agronomy)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Abstract

Sweetpotatoes require approximately three times more potassium (K) than nitrogen (N), making K the most applied nutrient in production. However, K fertilizer recommendations for sweetpotatoes in Mississippi remain outdated or are based on recommendations for other crops. This study evaluated the effects of K fertilizer rate, timing, and application method on sweetpotato production. Field trials were conducted during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons at the Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods Branch Experiment Station in Pontotoc, Mississippi. Treatments included preplant K applications of 0, 134, or 191 kg ha⁻¹ K₂O, in-season sidedress applications of 56 kg ha⁻¹ K₂O, and four foliar K treatments. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) in R. U.S. No. 1 yield did not differ significantly among preplant, sidedress, or foliar K applications. However, leaf tissue K concentrations varied significantly by most factors, indicating the need for improved interpretation of tissue K dynamics during the growing season.

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