Carbohydrates and dry matter in tubers of potato cultivars as affected by nitrogen doses

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) doses on carbohydrate (total soluble sugars, reducing sugars and starch), dry matter and total soluble solids contents in tuber of four potato cultivars. The tubers originated from four experiments, simultaneously conducted in the field, during fall/winter, at the Federal University of Vicosa. These experiments were set in randomized complete block and four repetitions and we evaluated the effects of five N rates (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha(-1)) on Agata, Asterix, Atlantic and Monalisa cultivars. Dry matter, total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, starch, and total soluble solids contents of the tubers were analyzed after a 30-day storage at 5 degrees C. N rates presented quadratic effects on the total soluble solids and presented no effects on dry matter and starch contents for all cultivars. Depending on the cultivar, N rates had positive effects or did not affect reducing sugars and total soluble sugars contents in the tubers.