ARS | Publication request: Managing deficit irrigation for potatoes

Submitted to: International Crop Science Congress Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: April 2, 2008
Publication Date: April 14, 2008
Citation: Alva, A.K., Collins, H.P., Boydston, R.A., Moore, A.D. 2008. Managing deficit irrigation for potatoes. International Crop Science Congress Proceedings. (On CD).

Technical Abstract: Inadequate water availability, particularly at certain growth stages, has negative impact on the yield and quality of potato tubers. Tuber quality is important for processing potatoes to meet the marketability standards. The Pacific Northwest (PNW) of the US is a major potato production region of premium quality processed potatoes for domestic and export markets. Due to low annual rainfall (about 150 mm), potato production is dependent on irrigation. Generally irrigation is managed to replenish full evapotranspiration (ET). This field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of deficit irrigation on tuber yield and quality of ‘Ranger Russet’ and ‘Umatilla Russet’ cultivars grown on a typical sandy soil in the PNW (96% sand) with different rates of pre-plant and in-season nitrogen applications. Total tuber yield significantly decreased (by about 7.5%) with deficit irrigation as compared with irrigation to replenish full ET. The impact of the above yield reduction associated with only 20% decrease in irrigation following row closure of the plant canopy on the net return needs to be evaluated.