POTATO YIELD RESPONSE TO DEFICIT IRRIGATION AND

This study was conducted at the American University of Beirut, Agricultural Research and Education Center (AREC) in the Bekaa valley, a major region for potato production in Lebanon, with the following objectives: to assess potato production per unit water under several levels of N fertilization and to save water and/or nitrogen fertilizer.
The crop was given enough irrigation water during the first fourty days after planting (establishment stage). Then the quantities of the irrigation water were applied at 120%, 91%, 66%, 55% and 45% ET by a point source sprinkler system, and the N- fertilization rates varied from 100% to 45% of the N rates used by conventional farmers.
Positive relationships were found between water application rates and potato yield in most fertilization treatments. Results indicated that a minimum of 29% water savings and about 31% of nitrogen saving were achieved under the given experimental conditions, without significantly reducing the yield.
No significant difference was obtained in yield of potato fertilized by conventional method or via fertigation. Irrigation below 53% ET, caused a reduction in tuber marketable yield as well as physiological abnormalities.

III International Symposium on Irrigation of Horticultural Crops

N.M. Nimah, L.I. Darwish, I.I. Bashour

Irrigation treatments, potato, water status, fertilization, sprinkler

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2000.537.98