Radiation interception and radiation use efficiency of potato affected by different N fertigation and irrigation regimes

• Radiation use efficiency did not respond to prolonged N fertigation.
• Radiation interception was increased by prolonged N fertigation.
• Most N should be applied early in the season.

Three years of field experiments were carried out to explore the response of potato dry matter production, accumulated intercepted photosynthetic active radiation (Aipar) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) to five N levels providing 0, 60, 100, 140 and 180 kg N ha−1 and three drip irrigation strategies, which were full, deficit and none irrigation. Results showed that, irrespective of years, dry matter production and Aipar were increased by prolonged N fertigation, even though N fertigation was carried out from middle to late growing season. The highest total and tuber dry matter and accumulated radiation interception in all three years were obtained when potatoes were provided with 180 kg N ha−1. RUE on the other hand was not affected by N regime. Thus, increases in total dry matter production with increasing N levels were essentially caused by higher Aipar. The strongest response to N fertilization occurred when most N was applied early in the growing season and the latest N fertilization should be applied no later than 41–50 days after emergence. Deficit irrigation, which received ca.70% of irrigation applied to full irrigation, did not reduce radiation interception and radiation use efficiency.