Ultrasound Application in Potato Cultivation: Potential for Enhanced Yield and Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Ultrasounds, characterized by high-frequency air vibrations exceeding 20 kHz, have traditionally found applications in medicine and the food industry, primarily for analyzing chemical composition and food product structure. They also have potential uses in agriculture, particularly in potato cultivation. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the potential to increase yields of selected potato varieties through the use of ultrasound in agricultural practices. The research findings were derived from a field experiment conducted on Luvisols between 2015 and 2017 in central-eastern Poland. The field experience was designed using a randomized complete-block split-plot layout with three replications. The primary factor included eight potato cultivars representing various maturity groups. The second-order factors included two cultivation management practices: (A) ultrasound application as a pre-plant treatment, and (B) a control group without ultrasound application (sonication). The study assessed potato tuber yield and its structural characteristics. Results: Tuber yield was influenced by the chosen cultivation practices, as well as the variations in responses among potato cultivars to environmental factors and pre-plant treatments. Conclusion: The research findings suggest that the use of ultrasounds in agricultural practices holds promise as a valuable tool for promoting sustainable agriculture, increasing potato cultivation productivity, and fostering environmentally friendly production methods.