Paraffin Enhances Yield and Quality of the Potato Cultivar Atlantic

Abstract

In semiarid potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production regions most potatoes are irrigated through sprinklers. Reduction of stress caused by hot, dry climates could improve tuber yield and quality. Folicote (Aquatrol Corp. of America, Pennsauken, NJ) is the common name for a 50% paraffin wax emulsion reported to reduce water loss and the daily water requirement of potatoes. The study was conducted to determine the feasibility of economically applying folicote with drop nozzles for increasing yield and improving chipping quality of the potato cultivar Atlantic. Using drop nozzles angled upward on each side of potato rows, a 4% concentration of folicote was applied at 20 and 40 gal/acre with a surfactant or a crop oil additive. This treatment significantly increased yields of U.S. no. 1 tubers between 2.25 and 3.25 in. (57-88 mm) in diameter by 10 to 31% in six field trial over 4 yr, 1989 to 1992. The number of tubers greater than 3.25 in. with hollow heart was reduced by as much as half. There were no effects on specific gravity, chip color, tuber rots, or vascular decoloration. There was no difference between the addition of a surfactant or a crop oil concentrate at 0.5%. In 1992, 2, 4, and 8 folicote applications were tested at 20, 40, and 80 gal/acre for increasing yields. The concentration of folicote in the spray solution played a more important role than the amount of folicote applied per unit of land area. The best overall treatment was 4% folicote applied in 40 gal/acre (374 L/ha) representing an approximate cost of $15/acre. The use of drop nozzles to apply folicote appears to increase quality and yield of chipping potatoes at an economically acceptable cost to growers