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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #270917
Title: Effects of planting configuration and in-row plant spacing on photosynthetic active radiation interception for three irrigated potato cultivars

Author
item Tarkalson, David
item King, Bradley - Brad
item Bjorneberg, David - Dave
item TABERNA, JOHN - Western Ag Research

Submitted to: Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/27/2012
Publication Date: 2/25/2012
Citation: Tarkalson, D.D., King, B.A., Bjorneberg, D.L., Taberna, J.P. 2012. Effects of planting configuration and in-row plant spacing on photosynthetic active radiation interception for three irrigated potato cultivars. Potato Research. 55:41-58. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11540-011-9205-2.

Interpretive Summary: Research studies at the USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Lab in Kimberly, ID have evaluated the production of potatoes grown in conventional and bed planting configurations. One study quantified and compared the intercepted photosynthetically active radiation from three planting configurations (4 row conventional ridged-row, 5 row bed, and 7 row bed), and from different plant spacings of Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah, and Ranger Russet potatoes under sprinkler irrigation. The canopy of Russet Norkotah and Ranger Russet potatoes grown in 5 row bed and 7 row bed planting configurations intercepted more photosynthetically active radiation during the early vegetative and tuber initiation growth stages compared to the 4 row conventional ridged-row planting configuration at equal populations. The potato canopy of Russet Burbank intercepted more photosynthetically active radiation during the early growth stage but not at tuber initiation growth stage. These data may help explain the findings from a previous study conducted at this site, where Russet Norkotah and Ranger Russet potato production under the bed planting configurations were not significantly different from the 4 row conventional ridged-row planting configuration but evidence suggested that production of Russet Burbank maybe better suited under the 4 row conventional ridged-row planting configuration.

Technical Abstract: Research studies have evaluated the production of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown in conventional and bed planting configurations. However, intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) from these planting configurations has not been quantified. A study conducted in 2008 and 2009 quantified and compared the intercepted PAR from three planting configurations (four row conventional ridged-row [4RC], five row bed [5RB], and seven row bed [7RB]), and from different plant spacings of cvs Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah, and Ranger Russet potatoes under sprinkler irrigation. A second study was conducted in 2007 to evaluate the relationship between PAR and leaf area of Russet Norkotah and Russet Burbank for the three planting configurations. These studies were conducted at the USDAARS Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Lab in Kimberly, ID, on a Portneuf silt loam (coarse–silty mixed mesic Durixerollic Calciorthid). The canopy of Russet Norkotah and Ranger Russet potatoes grown in 5RB and 7RB planting configurations intercepted more PAR during the early vegetative and tuber initiation growth stages compared to the 4RC planting configuration at equal populations in 2008 and 2009 at all measurement dates. The canopy of Russet Burbank intercepted more PAR during the early growth stage in 2008 when planted in the bed planting configurations compared to the 4RC planting configuration, but not on the July 17, 2008 and July 9, 2009 dates. The canopy cover of Russet Burbank potatoes planted in the 4RC planting configuration tended to catch up with the bed planting configurations quicker than the other two cultivars. In general, the quantity of PAR intercepted as affected by planting configuration did not influence total tuber yield and other measured production variables. Cumulative PAR interception 0–72 days after planting (DAP) was increased 35%, 38%, and 32% for the 5RB and 65%, 69%, 23% for the 7RB relative to the 4RC planting configuration for Ranger Russet, Ranger Norkotah, and Russet Burbank, respectively. Cumulative PAR interception for the season was increased 15%, 16%, and 4% for the 5RB and 23%, 23%, 5% for the 7RB relative to the 4RC planting configuration for Ranger Russet, Ranger Norkotah, and Russet Burbank, respectively. The relationship between intercepted PAR and leaf area for Russet Norkotah during the early vegetative and tuber initiation growth stages was significantly different between the three planting configurations, with intercepted PAR at a given leaf area in the order of 7RB>5RB>4RC. For Russet Burbank, the relationship was significantly different for the 5RB and 7RB compared to 4RC planting configuration only, with intercepted PAR at a given leaf area in the order of 7RB05RB>4RC.