Research on the Optimum Shape and Size of Potato Ridges

Abstract

The partial results from the research carried out in 2012 at the Potato Research and Development Station Tg. Secuiesc on the size and shape of the ridges and the influence of planting density in the case of two varieties and two types of ridges (ridges in one row and two rows) are presented. The results were heavily influenced by the unfavorable weather conditions in 2012 when there was a smaller amount of precipitation compared to the multiannual average rainfall during the growing season: -115.4 mm. The insufficient moisture resulted in the inhibition of potato tuberization, reabsorption of stolons and young tubers and in this period some of the water content in tubers passed into the leaves. In the study of the optimal shape of potato ridges three different shapes have been studied: triangular shape, trapezoidal shape and double-trapezoidal shape. In the study of the optimal size of potato ridges three different ridge sizes were made: with cross-sectional areas of 800 cm2 , 1200 cm2 and 1600 cm2. The biological material used in these two experiments was the Bella Rosa variety, which is part of the class A biological category. The research on the influence of planting density was conducted on two potato varieties planted in ridges in a single row and in two rows: one that forms many but small tubers, the class A Gared variety and the second one that forms fewer but larger tubers, the class A Bella Rosa variety. Experiments with three different planting densities for each type of variety and each type of ridge (ridges in one row and two rows) were carried out: 40.000 plants/ha, 60.000 plants/ha and 80,000 plants/ha. For all variants four rows were planted and the process was repeated four times. The common technology of ridge ploughing was used and mechanically performed phytosanitary treatments were executed with the usual products. To achieve the objectives the following elements were taken into consideration: yield and production (kg/ha), average weight of a tuber (g), average number of tubers in the nest. An analysis of variance was carried out for completely randomized plots and the data processing was accomplished by using average values, the “t-test” at 5%, 1%, 0.1% significant difference levels and the Duncan Multiple Range Test.