Author
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Starr, Gordon |
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Submitted to: Northeast Potato Technology Forum Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2005 Publication Date: 3/15/2005 Citation: Starr, G.C. 2005. Influence of mulch and water application on field-scale soil water patterns in maine potato production. Northeast Potato Technology Forum Abstracts. Page 6 Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Past research indicates that field-scale soil water patterns are stable in time and have a strong bearing on water application requirements and yield. However, little is known about how to manage this variability for potato (Solanum tubersonum L.) production. Soil water content was measured biweekly at 30 m intervals using a portable, hammer-driven time domain reflectometry (TDR) system over six field-scale transects in potato. Transects were split into mulch and no-mulch, irrigated and non-irrigated treatments in 2004, and yield was measured using hand sampling. Supplemental irrigation was applied once in the amount of 2.5 cm. Trends in yield vs. soil water content suggested yield increased with soil water over the drier parts of the field but declined at higher water contents under all treatment scenarios. Light straw mulch (around 45% ground cover) application had no discernible effect on yield or relative water status. The 2004 growing season had adequate moisture from rainfall. Under these conditions, only the drier areas of a field appear to benefit from the type of heavy, infrequent supplemental irrigation used in this study. |
