Effect of Some Herbicides Application on Nitrates (V) Content in Potato Tubers

A field experiment was carried out in the Agricultural Experimental Station Zawady (52°03’ N; 22°33’E), owned by the Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in 2005–2007. The research was designed as a two factors randomized block with three replicates. The factors examined in the experiment included two potato varieties – Irga and Balbina and four weed control methods combined mechanical and chemical for herbicides application: Plateen 41,5 WG (metribuzin + flufenacet), Racer 250 EC (fluorochloridone), Sencor 70 WG (metribuzin), and control object – mechanical weeding before and after potato sprouting. The study was designed to test the influence of weed control methods on nitrates content in consumption potato tubers. The nitrates (V) content depended on the weed control methods, varieties and weather conditions throughout the growing season. The highest nitrates (V) content was determined when weeds were controlled mechanically and chemically using Sencor 70 WG. The study results demonstrated that Balbina had a higher concentration of nitrates (V) compared with Irga.