Potato planting rates with dryland culture in Western Nebraska

Abstract

1. Three varieties of potatoes were grown on dryland in Western Nebraska for 3 and 7 years with three planting rates using combinations of two seed piece sizes at two planting distance. 2. An intermediate planting rate (approximately 12 bushels per acre) appeared the most practical because of the highest yields, especially the highest net yields of marketable potatoes. This appears to be the most practical rate for most dryland production. 3. With the intermediate planting rate, close planting of small seed pieces was much more desirable than twice the distance with seed pieces weighing twice as much. 4. With planting rates of 23.5 bushels per acre total yields were only slightly greater than with the intermediate rate attained by close planting of small seed pieces, but tubers were usually smaller. 5. The heaviest planting rate (23.5 bushels per acre) was found to be desirable for producing greatest total yields and greatest yields of seed-size potatoes (U. S. #1-small and B size tubers), but least efficient in production per bushel of seed planted. Increased returns for the additional bushels planted (beyond those required for the intermediate rate) were relatively small, indicating that the heavy rates are not likely to be economical except when seed potatoes are very cheap. 6. The lowest planting rate (approximately 6 bushels per acre) produced the greatest yield per bushel of seed planted and the largest tubers, but yields per acre were too low to merit consideration of this rate except when very high-priced seed potatoes or stocks of new or superior strains or varieties are to be increased as rapidly as possible.