In the last few years, the increase in economical cost and risk of potato crops has caused a decrease in number of potato farms in the Quarta Colônia region, in the center of Rio Grande do Sul State. The Association of Potato Growers in the Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul State (ASBAT) raised the demand to organic sources of nutrients to this crop as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. Its objective is to decrease costs and environmental impact of potato crops, and is characterized by the need to identify organic sources of nutrients and to establish techniques for their use. To satisfy such demand, experimental plots were established to test rotation among commercial potato crops and cover crops, both at the main crop season and the inter-season, as well as comparisons among hen residue, hog residue and mineral fertilizers. Results showed organic sources as an economical and technical alternative to chemical fertilizers. However, their efficiency was maximized when coupled with chemical fertilizers, mainly to maintain nitrogen supply along the crop cycle, especially in the case of hog residue use. Hen residue is a better choice than hog residue because it has greater amount of nutrients.
agroecology; sustainability; organic fertilizers; crop rotation
