Potato Tuber Production Research Articles

The potency of mulch and paclobutrazol treatments to increase potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber production in a high-temperature area

Climate change, in this case, global warming causing a direct effect on the future production of potatoes in Indonesia by reducing the suitable area in high altitude land. The optimum temperature for potato crop growth is 10-25°C. Temperature above 30°C causing the delay of tuber initiation, increase shoot growth and decrease potato tuber production. The research aims to enhance potato tuber production under the above-optimum temperature was conducted in July – September 2017. The experiment took place in the field at 600m asl. The experiment design used was factorial with a split-split plot design. The three factors tests were with and without paclobutrazol application (67.5 ml/plant), straw mulch (SM) and plastic mulch (PM), and cultivars. The cultivars tested were fresh-potato cultivars (Olympus) and processed-potato cultivars (Andina and Amabile). The result showed that the temperature range during the experiment was 18 - 35°C. Soil temperature under SM showed 1.17°C lower than that under PM. No significant effect of a paclobutrazol application for growth and tuber production. In average, Olympus produced 712 g fresh tuber that was significantly higher than Andina and Amabile, which were 516 g and 461 g respectively. The percentage of small size tuber per plant (< 80 gram) of all cultivar was more than 60%, which showed that the assimilates translocation to tuber still not maximal. This experiment suggested increasing paclobutrazol dosage to enhance the assimilate translocation from the source to the tuber sink and increase the fresh tuber weight per plant.

Seed-potatoes production using biotechnology methods under the conditions of East Kazakhstan

The production of potato varieties for a long period of time largely contributes to a decrease in the initial productivity and quality indicators of potato tubers, this is the result of a progressive accumulation of viral, viroid, fungal and bacterial pathogens during plant reproduction. The system of virus-free seed production, based on the improvement of varieties and accelerated multiplication of the original seed material in conditions that exclude reinfection, successfully solves many problems of potato seed production. Biotechnological methods play a key role in this process. Micropropagation method allows for the rapid propagation of healthy seed material. We in 2016-2019. Investigations were carried out to obtain seed material of potato varieties of different ripeness groups using the in vitro method in the conditions of East Kazakhstan. After analyzing the conditions for the selection of seed production schemes, data on soil and climatic conditions, phytopathogenic conditions in the zone of potato production, we have selected a four-year seed production scheme in the methodology of original and elite seed production introduced in Ulan Zhemis LLP. Adaptation to production conditions was carried out in 2018-2019. All varieties by the method of accelerated in vitro reproduction were cloned by microcutting in four repetitions in the offspring in the laboratory of plant biology and biotechnology of the V. S. Amanzholova. All tested varieties, cut and adapted to soil and climatic conditions, were planted in a closed area from May 15 to June 1. As a result, the most productive varieties using the in vitro method were identified: Gulliver (Russia), Juvel (Germany), Colomba (Holland), Queen Anna (Germany), Rodrigo (Germany), Riviera (Holland), Darenka (Russia), Luck (Russia), Artemis (Holland), Red Lady (Germany).

Influence of planting time on photosynthetic activity and potato yield

The influence of planting time on the photosynthetic productivity, yield and quality of potato tubers in the forest-steppe zone of the Chelyabinsk region has been studied. The objects of study were two varieties of potatoes of different ripening periods: Rosara (early season) and Kuzovok (mid-season). It was established that the optimal period for planting potatoes is the second decade of May. This planting period provides favorable dynamics of the formation of the leaf surface and the maximum photosynthetic potential of agrophytocenosis: Rosara - 3.220 and Kuzovok - 4.178 million m2/ha/day. When planting on May 12 to 15, the yield of dry Rosara biomass (9.8 t/ha) was 26.6% higher than in the variant of planting potatoes on June 5 to 12 and Kuzovok (11.0 t/ha) by 20.2% more than late planting. Potato yield during spring planting changed insignificantly. Late planting led to a significant decrease in the productivity of the studied varieties: Rosara by 5.1 t/ha (16.9%) and Kuzovok by 6.2 t/ha (19.1%) compared with the first planting time. Planting potatoes in the second decade of May led to increased photosynthetic activity of plants, increased potato yields. The quality of the crop improved. The dry matter content in variety Rosara tubers increased by 3.5 %, the Kuzovok variety by 2.7 % compared to late planting, the starch content in tubers increased by 2.66 and 1.94%, respectively, and the accumulation of nitrates in tubers decreased by 2.0 and 2.4 times compared to planting on June 5-12. The coefficient of assimilation of photosynthetically active radiation during the growing season (May-August) for the Rosara at the first planting time was 3.2 %, and at the third - 2.6 %, for the Kuzovok - 3.6 and 3.0 %, respectively.

Fertilizer Application Levels in Potato Crops and the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS)

The rates of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers used in the cultivation of potatoes are often considered excessive, as they can cause imbalance among the essential elements present in the soil. Using leaf nutrient analysis, this study aimed to evaluate the productivity of potato tubers subjected to different rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) to establish the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system indices. Three experiments were conducted, one for each nutrient (N, P, and K), with Agata and Atlantic cultivars in Unaí (Minas Gerais state) and the Agata cultivar in Mucugê (Bahia state). The nutrient rates were 0, 30, 70, 120, and 280 kg ha−1 of N; 0, 150, 300, 600, and 900 kg ha−1 of P2O5; and 0, 70, 110, 220, and 450 kg ha−1 of K2O. Agata and Atlantic had adequate nutritional balance under K application. Agata had a more adequate nutritional balance under P application in Mucugê, whereas K fertilization was more decisive for the nutritional balance in Unaí. The differences in the results can be explained by the different soil textures and nutrients in the soil between the regions. The results show the need to consider the soil conditions and the nutrient uptake/translocation capacity of cultivars before establishing rates to increase production revenue and avoid the waste of fertilizers.

АДАПТИВНІ ВЛАСТИВОСТІ РІЗНИХ СОРТІВ КАРТОПЛІ В УМОВАХ ЛІСОСТЕПУ ЗАХІДНОГО

The article is devoted to the study of the influence of modern potato varieties of different ripeness on productivity indicators in the Western Forest-Steppe. Methods. Analysis, synthesis, generalization, field experiment. Results. The results of research showed that varietal characteristics influenced the elements of productivity of potato tubers, with the best productivity of potato varieties were Knyagynya, Myroslava and Solokha. It should also be noted that the productivity of varieties of different ripeness of potatoes depended on the weather and climatic conditions of the year. Conclusions. On average, over the years of research of 5 varieties, the average productivity of the bush was – 707 g. The highest productivity was shown by the variety Knyagynya – 924 g. It should be noted that the varieties Myroslava and Solokha also formed a high productivity from the bush: Myroslava – 762 g., Solokha – 702 g., respectively. Less productive varieties were Shchedryk – 597 g and Levada – 547 g. Analysis of weather and climatic conditions of 2019-2020 showed that the most favorable were the climatic conditions of 2019, the value of the trait this year averaged 794 g, less favorable conditions for the development of the analyzed indicator developed in 2020 – 620 g. The correlation coefficient between productivity and number of tubers from the bush was r = 0.8. It was also found that the differences in the average number of tubers from one bush between varieties was insignificant. The study of experimental varieties showed that the largest number of tubers from one bush in two years, formed in the variety Knyagynya – 10.4 pcs., variety Solokha – 8.4 pcs., and variety Levada – 8.0 pcs. On average, for two years of research, the average weight of tubers was at the level of – 86 g. Thus, the largest average weight of tubers was formed by Myroslava variety – 102 g, and Knyagynya variety – 91 g. In 2019, the weight of tubers varied from 69 g. in the variety Levada to 113 g. in the variety Myroslava; and in 2020 from 70 g. to 90 g., respectively. Thus, the most favorable for the formation of large tubers were the weather conditions in 2019, the average weight of tubers in this period was 95 g, in 2020 – 77 g. Thus, in the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on leached low-humus medium loam black soil the most productive varieties of potatoes are varieties Knyagynya, Myroslava and Solokha.

ДЕЙСТВИЕ МИКРОУДОБРЕНИЯ «АГРО-МАСТЕР» НА УРОЖАЙНОСТЬ И КАЧЕСТВО КЛУБНЕЙ КАРТОФЕЛЯ

The effect of microfertilizer «Agro-Master» on the yield and quality of early and medium early of potato tubers varieties was studied, carried out at the experimental field of North Caucasus Research Institute of Mountain and Foothill Agriculture - branch of the VSC of RAS in the forest-steppe zone of Republic of North Ossetia-Alania on grass rotation in the period from 2017 to 2019 yy. The experimental data indicate that the use of microfertilizer «Agro-Master» in a specific soil and climate zone is a promising technique that can improve the productivity and quality of potato tubers in the field. The data of our studies on leached chernozems showed no clear differences in the timing of the onset of the development phases of potatoes. The intensity and speed of emergence of seedlings to a greater extent depends on weather conditions and varietal characteristics. It was found that when spraying potatoes with microfertilizer «Agro-Master» in different doses, the process of dying of tops is slowed down in comparison with the control options. So, in the Zukofsky early variety, the top-off phase begins 7-8 days earlier than the Red Scarlett variety and 10-11 days of the Predgorny variety of local selection. The maximum yield increase was observed when processing of the microfertilizer «Agro-Master» at a dose of 2 kg/he on the pre-mountain local breeding grade – 27,5 tons per hectare, while the increase in yield to control was 5,0 tons per hectare, for varieties of Zukofsky early and Red Scarlett – 5,0 and 4,7 tons per hectare respectively. The highest dry matter content was on the experimental version (dose 2 kg / ha) for the Predgorny variety – 26,6 %, the Zukofsky early and Red Scarlett varieties – 25,9 and 23,8 %, that accordingly is more than control on 3; 2 and 3 %. The starch content in the studied potato tubers in the experimental varieties was diverse. The maximum starch content in potato tubers was obtained using the variant treated with Agro-Master at a dose of 2 kg/he for Predgorny variety (16,0 %), which is explained by the favorable influence of microfertilizer «Agro-Master» and the manifestation of varietal characteristics.

Biocontrol Mechanisms of Bacillus sp. and Its Application as a Bionanocomposite Against Rhizoctonia solani

Black scurf disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a main yield limiting factor for potato tuber production as it leads to plant death. The present study aimed to isolate naturally occurring antagonistic bacteria that could control R. solani. Bacillus sp. was selected among of 84 isolates secured from rhizosphere of healthy potato plant based on its ability to suppress the growth of the pathogen R. solani. Phylogenetic analysis of this strain based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed highest similarity (99%) with Bacillus sp.; it was deposited in the GenBank under the accession number of MK030136. The strain culture filtrate containing protease, diffusible antibiotic, hydrogen cyanide and siderophore was capable of inhibiting growth of the pathogen up to 15 days compared to 7 and 10 days for other Bacillus isolates. It also produces indole acetic acid which promoted plant growth. Morphological and structural changes that took place as a result of Bacillus sp. and R. solani interaction were evaluated using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The results showed that Bacillus sp. caused loss of structural integrity, abnormal coiling, shriveling and lysis of the R. solani hyphae, in addition to complete cytoplasm and internal organelles depletion. The Bacillus sp. under study was immobilized on nanoclay to form a bionanocomposite, which was stable and exhibited the biocontrol efficiency along 8 months storage. Both in vitro and greenhouse experiments showed high inhibition of R. solani radial growth. Results indicate that the prepared bionanocomposite is a promising alternative to the commercial products.

Optimization of Seed Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Production: Effects of Pre-Sowing Gibberellic Acid Treatments and Planting DensityOptimization of Seed Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Production: Effects of Pre-Sowing Gibberellic Acid Treatments and Planting Density

Bu araştırma, tohumluk patates yumrusu üretiminde dikim öncesi gibberellik asit uygulamaları ile dikim sıklığının etkinliklerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla Isparta koşullarında 2016 ve 2017 yıllarında yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada, dikimden önce tohumluk yumrulara 0, 1.5, 3.0 ve 4.5 ppm dozlarında GA3 uygulanmış ve yumrular 20, 25 ve 30 cm sıra üzeri mesafelerde dikilmiştir. GA3 uygulamaları patateste ana sal sayısı, ocakta yumru sayısı, tohumluk yumru verimi ve toplam yumru verimini önemli derecede arttırmıştır. Dikim sıklığı arttıkça ocakta yumru sayısı, ocak verimi ve ortalama yumru ağırlığı azalmış, tohumluk yumru verimi ile toplam yumru verimi ise artmıştır. Tohumluk yumru verimi bakımından en etkili uygulamalar 3.0 ve 4.5 ppm GA3 uygulanarak 20 cm sıklıkta yapılan dikimler olmuş, bu uygulamalar ile A sınıfı tohumluk yumru veriminde yaklaşık % 57, B sınıfı tohumluk yumru veriminde ise % 88 artış sağlanmıştır. Çalışmada patates yumrularının dikim öncesi 3.0 ppm GA3 uygulanarak 20 cm sıra üzeri mesafede dikilmeleri ile toplam yumru veriminde azalma olmadan tohumluk sınıfına giren yumru veriminin arttırılabileceği anlaşılmıştır

Productivity and quality indicators of potato tubers using bioagents and adaptogenic drugs

Studies to identify the effectiveness of bioagents and adaptogenic preparations on plantings of potatoes of the Vineta variety were carried out on gray forest medium loam granulometric composition of the soil of the Zemlyaki farm in the Nizhnekamsk district of the Republic of Tatarstan. Field experiments were carried out in 2019 by employees of the Department of Plant Growing and Horticulture of Kazan State Agrarian University. The humus content in the arable layer of soil according to Tyurin is 3.35 %, pH is 5.7, easily hydrolyzable nitrogen is 112 mg/kg of soil, mobile phosphorus is 156 mg/kg, exchange potassium is 136 mg/kg of soil, molybdenum is 0.07, copper is 0.52, boron – 0.7, zinc – 4.82 mg/kg. The paper presents the results of studies on the effect of the preparation RECB-95B obtained on the basis of bacteria Bacillus subtilus, RECB-44 – Pseudomonas fluorescens, RECB-50B – Bacillus sp. and RECB-74B — derived from the fungus Trichoderma viride for antagonistic activity against pathogens. Based on the results of our preliminary studies, we selected these preparations for preplant treatment of tubers and vegetative plants. It was found that the most effective option for planting potatoes was the treatment of tubers before planting with the strain RECB-50B (2 l/t) + adaptogen in combination with three times spraying during the growing season RECB-95B, RECB-4B, RECB-50B using them together with adaptogen. Our data show that the mass of tubers does not always correspond to the number of stems and tubers, however, in variants 7 and 8 with a high mass of tubers, a larger number of stems and tubers per bush was noted. Less nitrates 73 mg/kg contained tubers from the variant when used for processing tubers of strain RECB – 50 B (2 l/t) and triple treatment of plants during the growing season with bioagents RECB – 95 B (0.5 l/ha), RECB – 44 B (0.5 l/ha), RECB – 50 B (1.0 l/ha). The use of these drugs in conjunction with the adaptogen led to an increase in the number of nitrates in the tubers. A higher starch content in tubers of 13.02 and 13.01 % was observed when treating the tubers of the drug Maxim (0.2 l/t) and strain RECB – 50 B (2 l/t) and triple treatment of plants during the growing season with bioagents RECB – 95 B (0.5 l/ha ), RECB – 44 B (0.5 l/ha), RECB – 50 B (1.0 l/ha). In the dry matter, the starch content was higher when the tubers were treated with rhizoplan and amounted to 63.38 %.

SOIL PHOSPHORUS DYNAMICS OF SWEET POTATO-BASED CROPPING SYSTEM IN A RAINFOREST REGION OF NIGERIA

To guard against soil phosphorus (P) toxicity in tuber production and have optimum tuber yield at lesser cost of P-fertilization, better understanding of the dynamics of phosphorus release in sandy loamy soil is inevitable. Therefore, this work was carried out to investigate the trend of P-release from time of application to its optimum release and its effect on sweet potato growth and tuber production. To achieve this, a 5-week incubation study under laboratory conditions was carried out to study P-release dynamics using different P sources. Similar experiment was conducted on the field using the same P sources and application rate to monitor the influence P-release rate on sweet potato production. Data on number of leaves, vine length, tuber yield, soil extractable phosphorus and phosphorus uptake of the plants were taken. Relationships between P-uptake and tuber yield, number of leaves, vine length were also established. It was found that the trend of phosphorus release was a sigmoid shape. Leaf production and vine length were improved by P-application, while yield was suppressed. It is recommended that P-fertilizer should not be applied to the soil at short intervals to avoid nutrient toxicity.

Profit Analysis of Virus Free Sweet Potato and Vine Multiplication by Smallholder Farmers in Selected Regions of Tanzania

Sweet potato production using certified virus free vines and virus free vine multiplication promote high yields which are significant for enhancing food security and income generation among small holder farmers. This study examines the cost and benefit of sweet potato tuber production using certified virus free vines and virus free vine multiplication among smallholder farmers in the Lake Victoria and Coastal Zones in Tanzania. Primary data were collected from 495 sweet potato farmers and virus free vine multipliers using survey tool (questionnaire). About 362 farmers who are producers sweet potato tubers and 133 farmers who are virus free vine producers were chosen from each zone using simple random sampling technique. The cost and benefit analysis were calculated using Microsoft Excel 2007. The findings of the study showed that the benefit of sweet potato production using certified virus free vines in Lake Victoria Zone was 1,284,665.64 Tanzanian shillings per hectare and that in Coastal Zone was 1,159,524.60 Tanzanian shillings per hectare. Furthermore, was revealed that benefit of virus free sweet potato vine multiplication in Lake Zone was 219,086.54 Tanzanian shillings per hectare and in Coastal Zone was 305 948.59 Tanzanian shillings per hectare. The Benefit Cost Ratio obtained in sweet potato production using certified virus free vines in Lake Zone was 5.04 per hectare and Coastal zone was 3.71 per hectare. The Benefit Cost Ratio obtained in virus free sweet potato vine multiplication in Lake Zone was 2.91 per hectare and Coastal zone was 2.11 per hectare. Therefore, investment in sweet potato tuber production using virus free vines and virus free vine multiplication is worth undertaking in both Zones since farmers generate profit and hence enhanced food security.

Yield and quality of three potato cultivars under series of nitrogen rates

AbstractUndesirable growth of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop under an excessive N fertilizer application is the main obstacle presently. This research was conducted to investigate the response of different potato cultivars; Russet Burbank, Shepody, and Superior, and its qualitative characteristics under a series of N rates. Six rates of N fertilization (0–280 kg ha−1) were applied on 11 sites in a randomized complete block design, with four replications. Sites with ≥30 g kg−1 of soil organic matter (OM) produced total tuber yield, marketable yield, and tuber weight per plant 39.5, 45.2, and 54.9%, respectively, higher than sites with ≤30 g kg−1 of OM. Tubers specific gravity increased by 0.18% in the sites with ≥30 g kg−1 of OM. The total tuber yield for the three cultivars was maximized at 168 kg N ha−1. Marketable specific gravity, starch, and dry matter content were achieved by applying 168 and 112 kg N ha−1 at ≤30 and ≥30 g kg−1 of OM sites, respectively. Russet Burbank produced a higher yield than Shepody and Superior cultivars significantly, but there was no significant difference among them regarding specific gravity. Excessive N application (&gt;168 kg ha−1) decreased potato tuber production and quality.

Comparison of Aeroponics and Conventional Production System of Virus-free Potato Mini Tubers in Serbia

Virus free mini tubers are starting materials for the production of seed potatoes without the diseases. Conventionally, mini-tubers are produced from in vitro plants in various solid media. The aeroponics system refers to the process of growing plants in the air or in the fog environment without the use of soil or any other substrate. The aim of this study is to assess the application of aeroponics and conventional production system of virus-free potato mini tubers in Serbia. The experiment included three varieties of potatoes: Cleopatra, Kennebec and Agria. All three varieties were cultivated within two systems: aeroponics and conventional rooting in the substrate. In the aeroponics system, with all three varieties, an average of 17.87 mini tubers was obtained, which is 5.39 times more than in the conventional substrate. This ratio was the highest in the variety Kenebec (6.46), followed by Agria (5.71) and the lowest in Cleopatra (4.01). The average weight of mini tubers produced in the conventional substrate was higher by 3.49 g compared to the aeroponics system. The aeroponics system offers a potential opportunity to improve the production of mini potato tubers in Serbia.

SOIL FERTILITY AND POTATO PRODUCTIVITY UNDER DIFFERENT COMPOSTING TECHNOLOGIES

The article presents the results of studies, describing the effect of various methods of peat-and-manure compost embedding on the fertility of sod-podzolic light loamy soil. When peat-and- manure compost is smothered with a longline plow PYa-3-35 at a depth of 25-27 cm compared to embedding with an ordi-nary plow by 20-22 cm and a heavy disc harrow by 15-17 cm, soil factors for growth and development of plants, edaphobiotics vital activity: acidity of soil solution, content of exchangeable potassium, mobile phosphorus and nitrate nitrogen, sum of the absorbed bases, base absorption capacity, humus content, ratio of humic acids to fulvic acids and carbon to nitrogen in humus. At the plot of a deep compost em-bedding in the 0-30-cm layer, the decomposition of linen cloth was more intense due to the participation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in this process. In the profile of 0-20 cm, under aerobic conditions, mineralization of linen cloth occurred more quickly under usual and disk embedding, but in the layer of 20-30 cm under deep processing with a lack of oxygen, a slowdown in decomposition of organic matter was established. In this layer, the disintegration of linen cloth was 1.5-2 times slower than in the rest of the compost, which contributed to a longer preservation of embedded organic matter. The presence of a sufficient amount of organic matter in the lower soil layer promoted the intensive reproduction of a larg-er macrofauna of soil - earthworms. On this plot, the number of earthworms in the lower layer was great-er compared not only with the control variant, but with other fertilized plots. Owing to the more active formation of humic substance in the soil with the sealing of the peat compost at 25-27 cm with a two-tier plow, the content of waterproof aggregates was much higher, thereby significantly reducing the density of its build-up during vegetation. The most optimal soil factors, provided by long-combined processing, al-lowed obtaining a higher productivity of potato tubers and with better indicators of their quality.

Organic Fertilizers Effect on Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Tuber Production in Sandy Loam Soil

Potatoes are one of the most common and important vegetable crops in the world and carrying different health benefits that make them all the more essential as a staple dietary item for much of the world’s population. The high nutrient content, ability to adapt to marginal environments, relative ease of cultivation and low cost and high productivity are attributes that make potatoes one of the principal and most important sources of food and income for developing countries. Considering the importance of organic manure for potato cultivation, the experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of four organic fertilizers on potato tuber production in sandy loam soil. The most popular and easily available two potato cultivars namely Cardinal and Diamant and four organic fertilizers viz., cowdung at the rate of 8 t ha-1, chicken manure at the rate of 8 t ha-1, Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) developed organic fertilizer at the rate of 740 kg ha-1 and Northern organic fertilizer at the rate of 500 kg ha-1 along with a control. The results revealed that the plant height, number of leaves, leaves fresh weight, yield contributing characters and yield were significantly different and higher in organic fertilizers over control. The highest plant height, leaf number, leaf fresh weight, total dry matter, absolute growth rate, tuber growth rate, tubers plant-1 and larger tuber size were observed in chicken manure which resulted the highest tuber yield (29.71 t ha-1) followed by cowdung (28.67 t ha-1) with same statistical rank. The third highest tuber yield was recorded in RDRS organic fertilizer (26.42 t ha-1) and Northern organic fertilizer (26.00 t ha-1). Besides, the potato cultivar, cardinal gave the highest tuber yield (26.39 t ha-1) compare to diamont (24.57 t ha-1). Finally, the potato cultivar cardinal and organic fertilizers, chicken manure followed by cowdung are recommended for potato cultivation in Rangpur region due to the highest yield production as well as maximum benefit-cost ratio.

Yield and quality of potato tuber and its water productivity are influenced by alternate furrow irrigation in a raised bed system

Scarcity of irrigation water has now become the main constraint for crop production globally. Irrigation water scarcity becomes severe especially during the dry, winter season in South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh due to the decline in groundwater table and drying of surface water resources. In South Asian countries, potato is traditionally grown with furrow irrigation system in dry, winter season in which irrigation water is applied frequently to each and every furrow. Such irrigation method increases water use and lowers irrigation water productivity (WP). We hypothesized that potatoes grown on raised beds, and irrigation water applied to alternate furrows based on the principle of partial root-zone drying, would maintain yield, reduce water use and increase WP, and enhance the quality of potato tubers in drought-prone areas of South Asia. To test this hypothesis, an experiment was conducted in two consecutive dry, winter seasons (2015–16 and 2016–17) at the research field of Irrigation and Water Management Division of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Central Bangladesh and assessed crop dry matter and yields, water use and WP, quality, and nutrient concentrations of potato tubers in different irrigation treatments. The experiment consisted of two levels (first, three irrigation at critical growth stages and second, four irrigation at every 12–15 days interval) and three methods (AFI – alternate furrow irrigation; FFI - fixed furrow irrigation; and EFI – every furrow irrigation) of irrigation. Dry matter and tuber yield of potato did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) between AFI and EFI but differed significantly (P < 0.01) when compared to FFI. On average, AFI and EFI had tuber yield of 21.9 and 22.2 t ha−1 with three irrigation and 23.2 t ha−1 and 23.9 t ha−1 with four irrigation, respectively during 2016 and 2017 while AFI and EFI had WP of 14.8 kg m-3 and 9.89 kg m-3 with three irrigation and 14.9 kg m-3 and 9.96 kg m-3 with four irrigation, respectively during 2016 and 2017. On average, AFI saved irrigation water by 35% and irrigation water productivity significantly (P < 0.001) improved by 50% compared to EFI over two years. Total soluble sugar, as an indicator of tuber quality, also varied significantly (P < 0.01) between AFI (6.290 Brix) and EFI (6.370 Brix). Nutrient concentrations of potato tubers were not significantly different (P < 0.05) between irrigation treatments. Results demonstrate that the alternate furrow irrigation can maintain potato tuber yield, and reduce water use and increase irrigation water productivity of potato tubers compared to every or fixed furrow irrigation in Bangladesh. This irrigation method could potentially be an attractive alternative to every or fixed furrow irrigation in South Asian countries where irrigation water is limited and appropriate water-saving irrigation methods are not available.

Effects of Tembotrione on Potato Crop in a Tropical Soil

ABSTRACTTembotrione is an herbicide with a high persistence in soil, a characteristic that affects the growth and development of susceptible cultures in succession. In this sense, the objective of this research was to evaluate the residual effects of tembotrione on production and quality of potato tubers in a tropical soil. A field experiment (2014/2015) with randomized blocks design with four replications was conducted. The treatments consisted of five doses of tembotrione (0, 8.4, 16.8, 33.6, and 50.4 g a.i. ha−1) incorporated into the soil before planting the potato cultivar Atlantic. At 115 days after herbicide application were evaluated: total solids (%), dry matter content (DMCT %), nitrogen and potassium of the tubers, total yield and classification. The productivity of normal tubers decreased as doses of tembotrione were increased. The percentage of class I tubers was reduced at doses of 33.6 and 50.4 g a.i. ha−1. The increase in the doses increased the percentage of class II tubers and did not influence the percentage of class III and discard. The appearance of cracked tubers increased with increasing herbicide doses. Tembotrione affected the productivity of potato tubers and caused cracks in the tubers, which are dependent on the applied doses.

ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ И КАЧЕСТВО КЛУБНЕЙ СРЕДНЕРАННЕГО КАРТОФЕЛЯ В ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ ДОЗ ФОСФОРНЫХ УДОБРЕНИЙ НА СЕРОЙ ЛЕСНОЙ ПОЧВЕ ЛЕСОСТЕПИ СРЕДНЕГО ПОВОЛЖЬЯ

The aim of the research was to determine the optimal dose of phosphate fertilizers on the background of the use of nitrogen-potassium fertilizers in the potato cultivation of the middle-early group of Nevskiy variety. Experiments were carried out on gray forest soil of medium loamy granulometric composition with humus content in the arable layer according to Tyurin - 3.22-3.31%, easily hydrolyzed nitrogen - 140-155 mg/kg of soil, mobile phosphorus - 142-147 mg/kg, exchangeable potassium - 138-151 kg/kg of soil. Nitrogen-potassium background and sulfur in a dose of N90K120S30 were used in the experiments. Phosphate fertilizers were applied, depending on the variant, in increasing doses - P30, P60, P90, P120 kg of active substance. The results of studies on the effect of increasing doses of phosphate fertilizers on the productivity and quality of potato tubers of Nevskiy middle-aged group of ripeness are presented. Analysis of the content’s dynamics of the mobile phosphorus in the irrigated experimental plot of gray forest soil showed that it has a good provision with a mobile form of P2O5. During the growing season on fertilized variants, its content increased with increasing dose of phosphorus and varied in the soil phase of plant development. In the process of research, it was found that fertilizers in a dose of N90K120S30 (background) increased the crop of potato tubers by an average of 4 years by 9.54 tons per hectare. Phosphate fertilizers applied in addition to the background (N90K120S30) as their dose increases from 30 to 120 kg of active substance provided an increase in yield by 1.27-6.34 tons per hectare. The main elements of the mineral nutrition of plants in different ways influenced the quality of potato tubers. The introduction of phosphate fertilizers contributed to an increase in the content of dry matter, starch and improvement in taste in tubers, while the amount of nitrates decreased. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that in order to improve the quality indicators of tubers, a dose of fertilizers should be applied - N90P120 K120S30.

The Effect of Different Irrigation Interval on Tuber Yield and Quality of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Gaining high yield of potato is very crucial for farmer and quality also has a great impact on their production. Beside the quality and yield using the amount of irrigation also important to reduce water lose. The tuber yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is impacted by irrigated water. This study was carried out in two respectively season (2017 and 2018) in Halabja province of Kurdistan regional of Iraq to evaluate the impact of irrigation interval on quality and tuber yield in potato cultivars. In this study there are four irrigation intervals (3,5,7 and 9 days) used by furrow irrigation method which subjected in complete randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The potato tuber production in 3 day interval showed highest percentage also protein and starch content was recorded highest in both year of cultivation, but the abscisic acid was affected by more irrigation which in 3 day interval irrigation the rate was less than other. Also in 5 day interval irrigation the rate was acceptable because there is no significant difference in terms of tuber yield, protein and starch content if compare with 3 day interval irrigation in particular for those area faced restricted in using water irrigation.

The Role of Microbiological Fertilizers and Green Manures in Increasing the Productivity and Quality of Potatoes

This paper presents the research results of three short-term experiments carried out in 2010–2017 on the impact of green manures and mineral and bacterial fertilizers on potato productivity. The purpose of the study was to increase the productivity and quality of potato tubers while reducing the anthropogenic load on the agrocenosis through the integrated use of binary green manures and lower doses of mineral fertilizers in combination with microbiological preparations. In a stationary field experiment (2010–2012) on leached chernozem, the maximum potato productivity (32.2–35.5 t/ha) was obtained using mineral fertilizers N45–90P60–120K60–120 in the crop rotation link oil radish + vetch–potato, while the efficiency of the treatment of tubers with the bacterial preparations Azotovit + Fosfatovit was 9.2–15.0%. In experiments on sod-podzolic soil, the yield increase from the microbiological preparation Agrinos for the potato cultivar Udacha in 2015 amounted to 12.4% along with higher content of starch and vitamin C in production. In the relatively moist 2016 and 2017, the yield increase in the midearly maturing cultivar Gala reached 8.5 t/ha or 24.5% to the mineral background level (N90P90K90). In the variant with a 30% reduced NPK dose and the use of Agrinos (N60P60K60 + Agrinos A + B (5 + 2.5 L/ha), the yield was 5.8 t/ha or 16.7% higher than with the full dose of NPK, and high starchiness and vitamin C content, excellent culinary qualities, and low levels of nitrates were also observed.