Potato cropping system and variety impacts on soil properties, soilborne diseases, and tuber yield in a long-term field trial

Authors: Larkin, Robert

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/28/2024
Publication Date: 11/28/2024
Citation: Larkin, R.P. 2024. Potato cropping system and variety impacts on soil properties, soilborne diseases, and tuber yield in a long-term field trial. Agronomy Journal. 14(12). Article 2852. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122852.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122852

Interpretive Summary: Improved potato cropping systems are needed to counteract production practices that have led to degradation of soil health and fertility, declining yields, and losses to soilborne diseases. Beneficial soil and crop management practices, such as longer rotations, cover crops and green manures, and organic amendments, can improve soil and crop health and productivity when incorporated into cropping systems, but long-term trials are needed to assess their full impacts. In field trials originally established in 2004, cropping systems focused on soil improvement (SI) and disease suppression (DS) were evaluated over time. After nearly 20 years and results compiled over a four-year period (2019-2022), The SI system (with a history of compost amendments) increased potato yields by 22 to 28% over a standard rotation and improved many soil health properties, and continued to provide benefits many years after amendments were ceased. The DS system, which included a disease-suppressive green manure rotation crop, reduced tuber diseases and also improved yield and other soil properties. Potato variety Caribou Russet, a newer variety with improved characteristics, produced higher marketable yields, larger tuber size, and less tuber disease than the standard Russet Burbank variety. These results demonstrate that improved cropping systems can substantially enhance productivity relative to standard cropping systems currently used throughout the northeastern US, as well as provide greater sustainability through long-term improvements in soil health. This research is useful for scientists, extension personnel, growers, and consumers, providing information on the development of improved cropping systems that enhance potato production and sustainability.

Technical Abstract: Cropping systems incorporating soil health management practices such as longer rotations, cover crops and green manures, and organic amendments have been shown to improve soil and crop health over time, but long-term trials are needed to fully assess the impacts and effects of these systems. Crop varieties may also respond differently to cropping practices. In field trials originally established in 2004, three different 3-yr potato cropping systems focused on management goals of soil conservation (SC), soil improvement (SI), and disease suppression (DS) were evaluated and compared to a standard 2-yr rotation (SQ) and a non-rotation control (PP) and were planted to two different potato varieties. In results compiled over the last 4 years (2019-2022), the SI system (with history of compost amendments) improved soil properties, including organic matter and nutrient contents, aggregate stability, and microbial activity relative to other systems, as well as higher total and marketable tuber yields (by 22-28%) relative to the standard SQ system. The DS system, which included a disease-suppressive green manure rotation crop also improved yield (by 12%) and reduced soilborne diseases (black scurf and common scab). Variety Caribou Russet, a newer variety with improved characteristics, produced higher marketable yields and larger tuber size, as well as lower severity of common scab than the standard Russet Burbank variety. These results demonstrate that improved cropping systems can substantially enhance productivity relative to standard cropping systems currently used throughout the northeastern US, as well as provide greater sustainability through long-term improvements in soil health.