EFFECTS OF CULTIVAR AND MULCHING ON THE POTATO YIELD

Abstract

Plant growing technology involves usage of complex agrotechnical operationsaimed at creating favorable conditions for plant growth and development, that is,for better exploitation of cultivar genetic potential. Effects of mulching with whiteand black polyethylene foil, and organic mulch (straw) were studied in three, dripirrigatedpotato cultivars: Carrera (early), Laura (medium early) and Agria(medium late). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block designwith four replications at the site of Zemun Polje, Serbia (44°88'N, 20°35'E, 79 ma.s.l.) in three consecutive years (2011–2013). Results obtained on the variantswith different mulch materials were compared with results attained on the plot withbare soil (control). The highest average number of tubers per plant was determinedin cv. Laura’s control variant (12.0), while the lowest average number of tuberswas determined in the cv. Agria with white mulch (8.2). The highest average tubermass (146.3 g) and total tuber yield (59.6 t ha-1) was determined in cv. Carrerasubjected to the straw mulch treatment. The lowest average tuber mass and tuberyield was found in the cv. Agria on the variant with black polyethylene foil (83 gand 27.8 t ha-1). The results obtained in our study indicate positive effect of thecombination of straw mulch and irrigation on the productivity of potato. Moderngrowing technology, which includes the regulation of temperature in the surfacesoil layer by combination of soil mulching, drip irrigation system, and the use ofadequate genotypes, can result in high potato yield.