Articles
EARLY AND LATE HARVEST POTATO CULTIVAR RESPONSE TO DRIP IRRIGATION
Article number
619_26
Pages
233 – 239
Language
English
Abstract
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is grown using sprinkler and furrow irrigation for processing into frozen French fries in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, USA. Water quality and water availability may lead some growers to consider adopting drip irrigation for potato production. ‘Russet Burbank’, ‘Shepody’, and ‘Ranger Russet’ are cultivars commonly contracted by processing companies, while promising new cultivars from the Tri-State Cultivar Development Program such as ‘Umatilla Russet’, ‘Wallowa Russet’, or the clone AO92023-3 may be more productive or better adapted to drip irrigation.
In southeastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho, potato growers’ contracts provide incentives for early delivery of potatoes suitable for processing.
The objective of these trials was to compare the yield, grade, and processing quality of potato cultivars at early and normal harvest dates, grown using drip irrigation.
Potato trials were grown in silt loam in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Soil water potential was maintained by high frequency, automated drip irrigation.
Irrigation timings were based on a soil water potential of -30 kPa.
Water was supplied by one drip tape per two-row bed, with injection of a dilute solution of calcium nitrate during each irrigation.
The early harvest took place approximately 85 days after emergence and the late harvest trial was harvested approximately 120 days after emergence.
Less water and N were used with drip irrigation than is typically used growing potatoes in this region. ‘Russet Burbank’ grown under drip irrigation had relatively low marketable yields in 2000 and 2001 and a high percentage of US Number two tubers.
New cultivars had higher early yield of large US Number one tubers.
In southeastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho, potato growers’ contracts provide incentives for early delivery of potatoes suitable for processing.
The objective of these trials was to compare the yield, grade, and processing quality of potato cultivars at early and normal harvest dates, grown using drip irrigation.
Potato trials were grown in silt loam in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Soil water potential was maintained by high frequency, automated drip irrigation.
Irrigation timings were based on a soil water potential of -30 kPa.
Water was supplied by one drip tape per two-row bed, with injection of a dilute solution of calcium nitrate during each irrigation.
The early harvest took place approximately 85 days after emergence and the late harvest trial was harvested approximately 120 days after emergence.
Less water and N were used with drip irrigation than is typically used growing potatoes in this region. ‘Russet Burbank’ grown under drip irrigation had relatively low marketable yields in 2000 and 2001 and a high percentage of US Number two tubers.
New cultivars had higher early yield of large US Number one tubers.
Authors
E.P. Eldredge, C.C. Shock, L.D. Saunders
Keywords
Solanum tuberosum, Russet Burbank, Shepody, Umatilla Russet, Wallowa Russet, soil water potential, fry color
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