Comparisons of methods of scheduling irrigations of potatoes

Irrigation of Netted Gem potatoes was scheduled during three growing seasons by three methods: (a) when plants displayed first visual symptoms of moisture stress, (b) when indicated by a soil moisture budget involving estimated evapotranspiration, and (c) on the basis of tensiometer readings of soil moisture suction. When the tensiometer method of scheduling was used, the mean yields of tubers were 55.0 and 25.8 cwt/acre (6160 and 2890 kg/ha) higher than those obtained with the other two scheduling methods. Methods did not affect the specific gravity of potatoes. Method (a) scheduled irrigations least frequently. Scheduling by the budget method was not always adequate because it was based on the assumption that the crop extracted water from a constant 4 ft (1.2 m) profile from planting to full vegetative growth. In one year the budget method scheduled the first irrigation earlier than necessary and delayed the second irrigation during a critical period of crop growth. From full vegetative cover to harvest the irrigation schedules were alike for both the budget and tensiometer methods.