Effects of drip irrigation regimes on potato tuber yield and quality

To evaluate the effects of drip irrigation regimes on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber yield and quality, an experiment was conducted in 2009 and 2010. Experimental factors were the irrigation regimes including: FI, providing 100% of the water requirement of potato; IR1, providing 70% of the water requirement of potato by reducing the applied irrigation water between planting and tuber initiation by 30%; and IR2, providing 70% of the water requirement of potato by reducing the applied irrigation water during the whole growing season by 30%; and three potato cultivars Agria, Almera and Sinora. The results indicated that cultivars Agria and Almera were much better than Sinora in terms of tuber yield under all irrigation regimes. For Agria and Almera, the experiments show that the full irrigation regime had the highest yield and water productivity. For Sinora, however, deficit irrigation yields higher water productivity than the full irrigation regime. Consequently, deficit irrigation IR1 and IR2 should be applied to Sinora, but not to Agria and Almera.     

Changes induced by plastic film mulches on soil temperature and their relevance in growth and fruit yield of pickling cucumber

Purpose: The aim of this study was to realize whether soil mulching, with different plastic mulch colors, is a suitable practice for the culture of pickling cucumber.

Materials and Methods: The crop was cultured or not with black, silver/black, white/black, and aluminum/black plastic films, treatments were evaluated in randomized complete block design, to determine their effect on soil temperature, gas exchange, nutrient concentration, growth, and fruit yield.

Results and Conclusions: Black, silver/black, and aluminum/black plastic mulches were higher (p?≤?0.05) in plant height, leaf area, and shoot dry weight than bare soil at 15 days after sowing, whose results were similar than using white/black film. Maximum, minimum, and mean soil temperatures were higher with all plastic mulches except for aluminum/black, in which the maximum soil temperature was similar to the one in bare soil. There was no difference in net photosynthesis and there was very little difference in nutrient concentration between plants in plastic mulches and plants in bare soil; however, early and total yield showed a higher (p?≤?0.05) yield in all plastic mulches, and lower with bare soil and white/black plastic mulch. Our results confirm that soil mulching impacts the pickling cucumber yield. We suggest a carefull selection of the color plastic mulch.     

Potato tuber yield and quality in response to different nitrogen fertilizer application rates under two split doses in an irrigated sandy loam soil

Abstract

Management strategies to minimize nitrogen (N) losses to the atmosphere and water bodies from potato production fields while maintaining tuber yields and quality relies on good N management. A 2-year (2016–17 and 2017–18) field trial with ‘Symphonia’ potato was completed on a sandy loam soil irrigated with flood irrigation in Punjab, Pakistan to investigate the effect of N fertilizer rate on vegetative, yield and tuber quality parameters. The N fertilizer treatments comprising six N rates from 0 to 300?kg ha^?1 were applied at 50?kg N increments. Number of stems and tubers plant^?1 showed a quadratic response while other parameters revealed cubic trends in response to N fertilizer rates. Applying more than 250?kg ha^?1 of N fertilizer did not increase vegetative growth and yield. In conclusion, the optimal N-application rate of 250?Kg ha^?1 has great potential to improve yield and quality of potato in the sub-tropical region of Punjab, Pakistan. These findings, besides improving productivity can minimize the risk of N fertilizer loss to the atmosphere.     

深旋松耕改善耕层结构促进马铃薯增产

为了探究深旋松耕提升马铃薯产量与质量的可行性。在山东省胶河地区以常规旋耕为对照,研究深旋松耕对土壤物理性质、马铃薯根系及产量形成的影响。结果表明:与常规旋耕相比,深旋松耕能打破犁底层,显著降低20~40 cm土层的容重和穿透阻力,提高0~50 cm土层的贮水量25.67%,促进作物生长,其中马铃薯根系生物量显著提高26.61%,中、下层叶片净光合速率分别增加20.82%、37.13%,进而提高花后光合产物积累量,促进花后干物质向块茎的转运,使得单块薯重量提高29.82%,马铃薯增产38.68%。     

Different pre-sprouting methods for early tuber harvest in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

Earlier harvest of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) can be achieved by different treatments of the seed tubers. This can be important, for example, in areas with a short growing season and in organic farming. In a pot experiment, different pre-sprouting methods were evaluated for four cultivars. The experiment consisted of (a) untreated seed tubers stored at 4 °C until planting, (b) traditional pre-sprouted tubers (P) and (c) pre-sprouted tubers with stimulation of adventitious root formation (PR). Pre-sprouted seed tubers have earlier and faster tuber formation, but often lower yield than non pre-sprouted tubers if there is no restriction of the growing season. The PR method developed here, where tubers were sprayed with water to stimulate adventitious root formation and give faster development and tuber initiation than conventional pre-sprouting, can be of value when the growing season is restricted or if early harvest is important. Initial emergence of the pre-sprouted potatoes was monitored in two pot experiments. Emergence was faster for the pre-sprouted treatments compared with the control, but there were no significant differences between the two pre-sprouting methods. At harvest, the pre-sprouted treatments gave higher yield than the control for all growing periods, methods and cultivars, although the differences were not significant for every combination. The cultivars Matilda, Cicero, Ovatio and Superb seemed to respond more positively in terms of yield to PR treatments than cv. Ditta. The new method for stimulating adventitious root formation developed here will substantially help growers to achieve earlier harvests.     

Effects of ridge‐furrow and plastic mulching planting patterns on microflora and potato tuber yield in continuous cropping soil

Planting patterns have distinctive effects on the soil micro‐ecological environment and soil quality. To explore the effects of film mulch ridge‐furrow (FMRF) cropping on soil microbial properties and potato yield, a study was conducted in 2013 and 2014 in a continuously cropped field under nonfilm‐mulched flat plot (CK), half‐mulched flat plot (T1), fully mulched ridge cropping (T2), fully mulched furrow cropping (T3), half‐mulched ridge cropping (T4) and half‐mulched furrow cropping (T5) planting patterns. Our results indicate that T3 increased the average bacteria/fungi (B/F) ratio by 253% compared to CK. On average, half‐mulched ridge cropping increased the bacteria population and aerobic Azotobacter by 9 and 19%, respectively, compared with CK. On average, T3 had the greatest inhibitory effect on fungi populations. Half‐mulched furrow cropping had the most anaerobic Azotobacter and nitrifying bacteria. The study showed that FMRF increased soil bacteria, especially Azotobacter but reduced fungi and actinomycetes. Treatment T2 gave the greatest potato yield, followed by T4, whereas the greatest biomass yield was recorded in T4. Full‐mulch furrow cropping methods produced the greatest nutrient use efficiency. The findings of this study enhance our understanding of soil microbe and plant responses to plastic mulch and planting patterns under semi‐arid conditions.     

Potential of sun hemp residue to provide potato with adequate nitrogen

Sun hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) residue as a proper nitrogen (N) source for a potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.) was investigated. Leaf nutritional indices (LNI), i.e, SPAD (SPAD-502, Minolta, Japan), total chlorophyll (CHLT), and N-total content, and their validity to predict tuber yield and N recovery were estimated. Moreover, comparison with mineral N fertilization was conducted. The estimated variables exhibited linear increase patterns to sun hemp N rates. Moreover, correlation coefficients between LNI and yield components were significant. Comparison of sun hemp N-amounts with mineral nitrogen showed lower SPAD values, similar CHLT, N-total, and N recovery. However, the elevated application produced superior yields to mineral one. Sun hemp residue incorporation prior to potato accounted for adequate N supply. Additionally, LNI are appropriate tools to determine potato N status and enable yield prognoses.     

Tuber yield and allocation of nutrients and carbohydrates in potato plants as affected by limestone type and magnesium supply

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) is a nutrient that affects the development of plants and is mainly supplied through liming performed to correct soil acidity. By acting on photosynthesis and influencing carbohydrate partitioning in the plant, supplementary Mg supplied through soil or foliar application can increase the yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental Mg fertilization by soil or foliar application on plant nutritional status, tuber yield, and carbohydrate partitioning in potato crops in soil corrected with calcitic and dolomitic limestones. The experiment was carried out in pots under greenhouse conditions with a randomized block design in a 2?×?3 factorial scheme with four replications. Dolomitic limestone application and supplemental Mg fertilization via soil increased the concentrations of this nutrient in potato leaves. Liming with dolomitic limestone reduced the uptake of Ca and K by plants, but supplemental Mg fertilization did not alter the uptake of Ca, Mg or K. Supplemental Mg fertilization did not increase plant growth and tuber yield, even when calcitic limestone was used to elevate the base saturation to 60%; the exchangeable Mg concentration in soil was 9?mmol_c dm^?3, and the Ca:Mg relationship was 3.7. Liming with dolomitic limestone or providing supplemental Mg fertilization did not increase sugar and starch partitioning to the tubers.     

Effect of various phosphorus and calcium concentrations on potato seed tuber production

Although the effects caused in plants by the calcium (Ca)–phosphorus (P) interaction in calcareous soils are well documented, very few studies report on such effects in nutritive solutions or hydroponic cultivation. In a sand and perlite (1:1 volume) hydroponic system, effects of various P (21, 42, and 63 ppm) and Ca (120, 180, and 240 ppm) concentrations on potato tuberization were studied. A factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted. For maximum tuber yield and tuber number production, 21 and 42 ppm P was sufficient, respectively. Increase in P and Ca concentrations in nutrient solutions in early growing season resulted in an increase in shoot and root weight, leaf area, and shoot length linearly, but tuber yield and tuber number did not follow this trend. The maximum tuber specific gravity and total solid percent were also observed in 42 ppm P. The highest tuber number and tuber yield were observed in 120 ppm Ca concentration.     

内蒙古马铃薯主产区基础地力及增产潜力研究

【目的】内蒙古是我国马铃薯主产省份之一,探究内蒙古马铃薯主产区基础地力状况,评价基础地力和施肥对马铃薯产量的关系,为指导不同生态区及土壤肥力下的马铃薯科学施肥提供理论依据。【方法】收集2006-2015年在内蒙古4个马铃薯主产区开展的1118个试验点无肥区(CK)和施氮磷钾肥(NPK)处理的马铃薯产量数据。以无肥区马铃薯产量来评价土壤的基础地力,计算基础地力对产量的贡献率。采用边界线拟合方法预测马铃薯最大潜在产量,计算其可获得的产量差,进而明确基础地力对主产区马铃薯产量及产量差的影响。采用稳定性指数和可持续性指数,评估基础地力对马铃薯产量稳定性和可持续性的影响。【结果】内蒙古阴山南麓区、阴山北麓区、燕山丘陵区、大兴安岭北麓区马铃薯基础地力产量分别为13.10、14.67、15.71和16.45t/hm^2;氮磷钾推荐施肥产量依次在20.90、23.17、25.34、26.54 t/hm^2;平均基础地力贡献率分别为57.6%、62.7%、63.9%和66.2%。随着土壤基础地力的提升,土壤基础地力对产量的贡献率逐渐增大。马铃薯施肥产量与土壤基础地力呈显著正相关,阴山南麓区、阴山北麓区、燕山丘陵区、大兴安岭北麓区马铃薯施肥产量与土壤基础地力直线拟合决定系数分别为0.769、0.876、0.770和0.790 (P <0.0001)。随着土壤基础地力的提升,马铃薯施肥产量与预测的最高施肥产量的差值变小,施肥产量的稳定性指数下降,可持续性指数增大。【结论】内蒙古马铃薯各主产区的土壤基础地力产量、施肥产量及地力贡献率存在差异,其中,燕山丘陵区、大兴安岭北麓区的马铃薯基础地力产量、施肥产量及地力贡献率指标均显著高于阴山南麓区。阴山南麓区、阴山北麓区、燕山丘陵区、大兴安岭北麓区施肥可获得的最高预测产量分别为53.68、62.87、65.39和69.65 t/hm^2。土壤基础地力与马铃薯施用化肥的增产效果呈显著负相关,土壤基础地力的提高增大了产量的可持续性指数,有利于马铃薯的高产、稳产。随着土壤基础地力的提升,土壤对产量的贡献率增加,施肥可获得的产量潜力增大。     

Cultivation of potato – use of plastic mulch and row covers on soil temperature,growth, nutrient status,and yield

Potato is one of the most important crops in the world because of its high nutritional value; however, traditional cultivation in bare soil may render low yields and poor quality. Crop production efficiency can be increased by using plastic mulching and row covers to modify root zone temperature and plant growth, in addition to reduction in pest damage and enhance production in cultivated plants. However, there is little information demonstrating the effect of row covers in combination with plastic mulch on potato. The aim of this study was to assess the change in root zone temperature and its effect on growth, leaf nutrient, and yield of potato using plastic mulch of different colors, in combination with row covers. Seed of cultivar Mondial was planted in May 2012. The study included four plastic films: black, white/black, silver/black, aluminum/black, and a control with bare soil, which were evaluated alone and in combination with row covers removed at 30 days after sowing in a split-plot design. Higher yields were obtained when no row cover (43.2 t ha^?1) and the white/black film (42.2 t ha^?1) were used. Leaf nitrogen, sulfur, and manganese concentration were higher in plants when row cover was used; in contrast, no–row cover plants were higher in Fe and Zn. Mulched plants were higher in Mn concentration than control plants. There was a quadratic relationship between mean soil temperature and total yield (R² = 0.94), and between plant biomass and total yield (R² = 0.98), between leaf area with total yield (R² = 0.98).     

Effect of drip irrigation and mulches on physiological parameters,soil temperature,picking patterns and yield in capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.)

Water and temperature are critical for producing vegetable crops, especially during winter, when the availability of water is meager and temperature falls. Studies of drip irrigation and mulch were undertaken to find the effect on different growth and yield parameters in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four main and four subplots. Irrigation levels were placed on main plots and mulches on subplots with three replicates for each. All recorded vegetative parameters were higher with drip irrigation at 1.0 pan evaporation (Epan) and black polythene mulch. Physiological parameters such as photosynthesis rate (18.01 and 17.45 μmol m^?2 s^?1), transpiration rate (6.19 and 5.86 mmol H₂O m^?2 s^?1) and chlorophyll content (27.34 and 28.39; 39.22 and 41.27 SPAD, respectively at 50 and 100 days after planting) were maximal in crops with drip irrigation at 1.0 Epan and mulched with black polythene. Soil and canopy temperature were significantly higher on flood irrigation at 1.0 Epan. Soil temperature was higher with the black polythene mulch, but canopy temperature was higher with no mulch. A higher level of drip irrigation and black polythene mulch result in early picking with higher yields compared with flood irrigation and no mulch.     

Seed potato minituber production in an aeroponic system under tropical conditions: electrical conductivity and plant density

Abstract

Most seed potatoes in Brazil are produced in beds, pots or boxes containing substrate, but the yields are low. Aeroponic systems are one strategy for increasing the yield. However, the concentration of nutrient solutions, managed by varying the electrical conductivity (EC), is of upmost importance and can alter plant responses. Plant density is another important factor for obtaining high yields. The objective of this study was thus to determine the effect of nutrient-solution EC and plant density on plant and seed potato production in aeroponic system. The experimental design was a randomized block with a split-plot design and four replicates, with plots for EC and subplots for plant density. Two potato cultivars were tested. The best ECs for “Agata” and “Asterix” were 2.1 and 1.7?dS?m^?1, respectively. The highest plant density (100 plants m^?2) for both cultivars produced the highest minituber yield and economic feasibility.     

Potassium nutrition and frost tolerance of potato genotypes

Six potato genotypes were tested to evaluate the effect of K nutrition on frost tolerance by measuring electrolyte leakage from leaves exposed to various freezing temperatures. Potato genotypes were selected through the known range of low temperature survival tolerance within tuber‐bearing Solanum species. An experiment was conducted using a soil high in K; and then nutrient solution experiments were conducted in the open environments of La Molina. Commercial K fertilizers, at different levels, were unable to increase significantly the frost tolerance in a common potato cultivar grown in a soil high in K. In nutrient solutions experiments, with plants grown without any hardening process, we found that there is a genetically related capacity to respond through K nutrition to increase frost tolerance among potatoes. The common commercial potato, S. tuberosum, did not change significantly its freezing sensitivity when K nutrition was varied. But S. curtilobum, which is grown by low income farmers in the Titicaca Lake area of Bolivia and Peru, especially reduced its sensitivity to frost tolerance when submitted to K deficiency by as much as 1.5 to 2°C. Leaf free proline does not accumulate as a result of K deficiency but all the K deficient plants had lower amounts of free proline. The K deficient plants also showed a lower induced nitrate reductase activity.     

对板栗园树盘土壤双重覆盖的效应研究

对板栗园树盘土壤进行麦秸、黑色地膜和无色地膜的单一或双重覆盖试验。结果表明，所有覆盖处理的保水效果均好于对照，但对温度的影响因不同处理而有差异；覆草＋覆膜的处理不仅具有显著的增温保墒作用，能培肥地力，双重覆盖处理的有机质平均含量比单独的膜覆盖增加0.1%，有效磷和有效钾分别提高1.2和5.7 mg·kg^-1，孔隙度增加3.21%，栗果产量增加10.70%。综合各种效应不同处理优劣顺序为：黑膜+草>无色膜+草>覆草> 黑膜>无色膜>对照。     

Nitrates content in table potato tubers under the influence of herbicides and biostimulants

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of herbicides and biostimulants on the potato tuber content of nitrates. The experimental material consisted of tubers harvested in a field experiment which examined the following factors: three medium early potato cultivars (Bartek, Gawin, Honorata) and five methods of herbicide and biostimulant application (Harrier 295 ZC (linuron?+?chlomazon), Sencor 70 WG (metribuzin), growth regulator Kelpak SL (algae extract from Ecklonia maxima ? auxins and gibberellins), growth regulator Asahi SL (sodium para-nitrophenol, sodium ortho-nitrophenol, sodium 5-nitroguaiacol) and a control unit where weeds were mechanically controlled). The tuber content of nitrates was determined in fresh matter with an ion-selective nitrate electrode and silver–silver chloride reference electrode. Herbicides and biostimulants increased the potato tuber content of nitrates compared with control tubers. However, they did not pose a threat to consumer health. Tubers of plants sprayed with the herbicide Sencor 70 WG (metribuzin) and the biostimulant Asahi SL (sodium para-nitrophenol, sodium ortho-nitrophenol, sodium 5-nitroguaiacol) contained the most nitrates whose accumulation was also affected by cultivars and weather conditions in the study years.     

覆黑地膜对旱作玉米根区土壤温湿度和光合特性的影响

明确雨养旱地地膜覆盖春玉米高产与水分高效利用的土壤环境条件,及其对玉米光合特性的作用,对延缓玉米衰老、提高玉米光合能力和促进玉米增产具有重要意义。以陕单609为材料,2012和2013年开展黑色地膜覆盖、白色地膜覆盖和裸地栽培试验,研究黑色地膜对玉米根区土壤水温环境、玉米叶片光合特性、产量和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,黑色地膜较普通白色地膜和裸地栽培,能显著改善玉米根区土壤温湿条件,提高玉米叶片光合能力。黑色地膜覆盖下,玉米叶片衰老时间明显推迟,衰老速度显著下降,成熟期叶片叶绿素含量较普通白色地膜提高11.7%(P0.05),较裸地提高45.5%(P0.05)。与普通白色地膜和裸地栽培相比,黑色地膜覆盖提高了吐丝后玉米叶片光合速率、蒸腾速率、叶片水分利用效率、PSII电子传递速率、量子产量(灌浆期除外)和光化学猝灭系数。黑色地膜覆盖下玉米千粒质量、产量和水分利用效率显著增加,千粒质量较普通白色地膜和裸地栽培分别增加5.0%和14.9%(P0.05);产量分别提高10.4%和22.1%(P0.05);水分利用效率分别提高10.4%和25.3%(P0.05)。在雨养旱作地区,玉米采用黑色地膜覆盖具有延缓后期叶片衰老和促进增产的效果。     

A survey of yield differences between transgenic and non-transgenic crops

In the current survey, there was no clear evidence that GM (genetically modified) crops are higher yielding than those conventionally bred&lt;fnoteref rid="fn1"&gt;1&lt;/fnoteref&gt;. Furthermore, there were no trials to support valid comparisons of yield per se. This article investigates GM crop yields, introducing the importance of hybrid vigour and a non-stress environment for higher percentage heritability selection and therefore more productive conventional plant breeding and improved crops. GM technology and crops are compared with proven plant breeding methods, with respect to hybrid vigour and the economic viability of both systems. These proven methods of plant breeding are (1) traditional landrace cropping, (2) conventional Mendelian breeding and (3) Isolection Mendelian breeding, and are also considered historically.     

不同土壤水分处理对膜上灌春小麦土壤温度的影响

依据膜上灌春小麦大田试验资料,研究了地膜覆盖和露地处理不同土壤水分亏缺水平对土壤温度变化特征的影响.结果表明:不同土壤水分处理对土壤温度的影响差异较大,覆膜重度水分亏缺处理土壤温度在全生育期始终较高,日最高土壤温度较露地丰水处理高9.8℃,而覆膜丰水、轻度与中度水分亏缺处理日最高土壤温度依次较露地丰水高6.4℃、4.6℃和1.7℃;受不同因素影响,三叶期和灌浆期各处理间土壤温度差异较大,日变幅分别在2.1～11.4℃和2.4～13.5℃之间;在不同土层中,各处理土壤温度变化幅度大致沿深度递减,0 cm土壤温度日变幅最大,为34.6～40.9℃,25 cm处土壤温度日变幅最小,为3.0～3.5℃,0～5 cm处除覆膜轻度和中度处理之间无显著性差异,其余各处理均达到极显著差异.试验结果将对膜上灌春小麦土壤温度调控及制定合理的灌溉制度提供理论依据.