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.