Articles
APPLICATIONS OF AGROMETEOROLOGY TO THE PRODUCTION OF POTATO IN THE WARM TROPICS
Although, as discussed, temperature in the lowland tropics are often supra-optimal, irradiance excessive, and precipitation insufficient to sustain potato growth, microclimate manipulation (e.g. mulching, shading and irrigation) and cultivar selection, in addition to the choice of optimal planting dates, enable satisfactory production under such conditions.
Potato cultivation has been successful under all warm tropical conditions except those characterised by high precipitation and low irradiance which, in combination with high temperatures, severely limit successful production.
The non-applicability of present-day crop models for the prediction of potential tuber yields and subsequently for the prediction of areas suitable for potato production in the warm tropics is discussed.
Recommendations for essential modifications, particularly the inclusion of temperature sensitive components and the incorporation of data on microclimate modification are made.
A map of potato production zones in relation to Köppen’s climate classification, which takes into account seasonal variation in climatic variables, illustrates the present diversity of climates in which potatoes are grown, and contrasts with the narrow range of environments predicted as suitable for the potato by the FAO Agro-Ecological Zones Project.
It is estimated that over half of all potatoes in developing countries are produced in lowland, warm tropical climates.