Application of surfactants to crop root zone to improve potato yield and reduce soil nitrate leaching

Technique for reducing nitrogen leaching in soils and improving potato crop yield by application of surfactants to crop root zone

A preferred technique for increasing potato crop yields and/or minimizing nitrate leaching of potato crop acreage involves the application of surfactant at planting to the soil adjacent a seed potato. In an alternative method of the present invention, surfactant is applied after planting to the top or shoulder of the hill in which a potato plant is growing. The improved potato crop yields of the present invention are believed to result of the maintenance of soil moisture levels near the potato plant root zone and/or the prevention of nitrogen and other nutrient-leaching from the potato plant root zone.