Potato Growing
Climate;
- The potato has a wide range of seasonal adaptabilitiy.
- It is a cool season crop and is moderately frost tolerant.
- Temperature during the growing season has long been recognized as one of the most important factors influencing yield.
- Young plants grow best at a temperature of 24degree; later growth is favored at 18 degree. Tuber production reaches a maximum at 20degree; decreases with rise in temperature, and at about 30degree tuber production stops entirely.
- Short days are beneficial for tuber production.
Soil;
- The potato develops best on deep, fertile, sandy to clay loams with good water retention capacity.
- The potato has a relatively weak, shallow root system, impermeable layers in the soil limit rooting depth which restricts water availability to the plant in dry periods.
- Soil compaction can greatly reduce potato yields.
- Aeration of the soil has a great effect on the set and development of tubers.
Manures and Fertilizers;
- N,P,K can be applied after the soil analysis is done. Excess application can be inhibit the absorption of some others elements.
- Organic manure or green manure can be recommended according to potato varieties.
Seed Rate;
- Potatoes are propagated by tubers, planted whole tubers to obtain maximum yields, healthy, disease-free tubers, free from mixture of other varieties, should be use.
- Seed rate depends on tuber size and varieties.
Irrigation;
- Potatoes need frequent irrigation.
- The first irrigation should be given immediately after sowing, and thereafter at one week intervals.
- After tuber formation, the frequency of irrigation is decreased.
- Irrigation should be stopped a few days before harvesting.