Sakia.org e-publish: Vol. 1.1

Article

Development of irrigation best management practices for potato from a research perspective in the United States

Pereira A.B. ^(A,C) and C.C. Shock^(B)

First published: 2006

Citation

Pereira, A.B. and C.C. Shock, 2006:
Development of irrigation best management practices for potato from a research perspective in the United States. -
Sakia.org e-publish, Vol. 1.1, p.1-20.
https://www.sakia.org/e-publish/ep_2006_01_01

Abstract

Irrigation in the era of “best management practices” requires the simultaneous achievement of effective water use for profitable production and environmental protection. Irrigation in excess of crop use should be minimized due to the risk of leaching of nitrate and pesticide residues towards groundwater and the risk of runoff losses of sediment and nutrients to surface water. Excessive irrigation promotes potato diseases. Yet potato is a shallow rooted, water stress sensitive crop. Water deficits reduce tuber yields and quality. Tuber quality parameters that are influenced by water stress include tuber grade, specific gravity, heat necrosis, susceptibility to bruise, hollow heart, translucent-end, jelly end rot, and the dark color of fried strips and chips. Tuber grade, as determined by shape, smoothness, and freedom from visible defects such as growth cracks, dumbbells, and knobs, is highly sensitive to irrigation management deficiencies. Together these tuber responses to deficit irrigation make potato a challenging crop to irrigate. Research has developed techniques to determine ideal irrigation timing based on allowable soil water depletion (ASWD), soil water tension (SWT), and crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Irrigation amounts are based on soil water status or ETc. Sprinkler irrigation systems are generally superior to furrow systems for potato production. Drip irrigation systems are used in specialized production circumstances and are the subject of intensive research. Irrigation practices for potato have strong interactions with nutrient management, especially nitrogen rates and timings. Optimal irrigation management for potato crop is demanding, because both under and over irrigation have clear negative consequences.

Keywords

• Irrigation scheduling, Solanum tuberosum L., soil water tension, evapotranspiration, yield, quality, environmental protection.

Full text

• Pereira, A.B. and C.C. Shock, 2006:
  Development of irrigation best management practices for potato from a research perspective in the United States.-
  Sakia.org e-publish, 2006, Vol. 1.1, p.1-20.
  https://www.sakia.org/e-publish/ep_2006_01_01  

Document locator

• https://www.sakia.org/e-publish/ep_2006_01_01