Furrow vs hill planting of sprinkler-irrigated russet burbank potatoes on coarse-textured soils

Surface water runoff from the hill, where potatoes are planted, to the furrow may exacerbate potato drought sensitivity. Planting into furrows and constructing midrow ridges may improve water use efficiency and relieve water stress on potato by directing water toward, not away from, the plants. A 3-year field study was conducted to compare yields and tuber size distributions of furrow- and hill-planted potato (Solanum tuberosum L., ‘Russet Burbank’) on coarse-textured, well-drained soils under sprinkler irrigation. A split-plot experimental design with main plots of row orientation (N-S vs E-W) and subplots of planting method (hill and furrow) combined with two planting depths was used at two central North Dakota sites. Except for planting method and limiting the post-emergence cultivation in the furrow treatments, all cultural practices (fertilizer, irrigation, etc.) were identical and corresponded with conventional practices for hill planted potato. Row orientation did not affect yield for any tuber size category. Averaged over 3 years, furrow-planted potato produced 24% larger tubers (188 vs 151 g), 31% smaller yield for tubers <113 g (4.99 vs 7.21 Mg ha^?1), 28% smaller yield for tubers 113 to 170 g (8.14 vs 11.3 Mg ha^?1), 8% larger yields for tubers 170 to 283 g (18.0 vs 16.6 Mg ha^?1), 103% larger yields for tubers 283 to 454 g (10.9 vs 5.36 Mg ha^?1), 341% larger yields for tubers >454 g (2.65 vs 0.60 Mg ha^?1), and 10% larger total yields (46.2 vs 41.9 Mg ha^?1) compared with hill-planted potato. There were no differences in tuber specific gravity. Preliminary soil water measurements indicated an inter-row water-harvesting effect for furrow planting compared with hill planting. The furrow-planting method may offer significant potential for ameliorating the drought sensitivity of potato.     

Irrigation and soil temperature effects on Russet Burbank quality

Potato growers in the Pacific Northwest suffer large economic losses in seasons with above normal temperatures, due to excess reducing sugars in tubers, which cause dark-end French fries. Our objective was to study irrigation management effects on potato quality, particularly the factors causing dark-end French fries or sugar-end syndrome. Solid-set sprinkler irrigated plots were established on potatoes at Kimberly, Idaho during the 1987, 1988 and 1989 irrigation seasons, and at Parma, Idaho in 1987 and 1988. Irrigation treatments were high and low frequency (3/week and I/week) and two or three water application amounts referenced to estimated evapotranspiration (ET, ET+20%, and ET-20%). Neither frequency nor amount significantly affected yields. Irrigation frequency had more influence on potato quality than application amount. More frequent irrigation produced slightly higher quality tubers and lower incidence of dark-ends when fried. Soil temperature was inversely related to tuber grade quality and directly related to percentage of sugar-end tubers. Soil temperature was about 0.5 C lower under the high frequency than under the low frequency irrigation regime. On these silt loam soils, allowing available soil water to decline to 50 percent had no adverse affect on yield or quality.     

Effect of daily irrigation rate and soil texture on yield and quality of Russet Burbank potatoes

Adequate soil water is needed for satisfactory yield and quality of potato tubers. With sprinkler irrigation systems it is common practice to apply more water than the crop uses in order to maintain high soil water levels. A study was initiated to evaluate the response of Russet Burbank potatoes to a wide range of daily sprinkler irrigation rates when grown on two soilsa loam and a sand—differing in water holding capacity. The results from the two soils were very different. On the loam soil, yields generally increased with increased applications of water, up to the equivalent of 40 to 50% estimated Et. Irrigation treatment effect on percent No. 1 tubers was inconclusive. In 1978, percent No. 1 tubers increased with water applied up to about 70% estimated Et. In 1980, irrigation rates between the equivalent of about 20 and 80% estimated Et had little effect on tuber grade. Yields and percent No. 1 tubers were depressed at irrigation rates greater than about 80% estimated Et. On the sand, yields and percent No. 1 tubers increased with increased irrigation rates up to about 100% and 80% estimated Et, respectively. Tuber specific gravity was not affected to an important degree by irrigation treatment on either soil. These results indicate that a good crop of potatoes can be grown on a loam soil at daily irrigation rates considerably less than estimated Et rates, while such reductions will decrease yields and grade on a sandy soil.     

我国胡椒水肥管理方法及发展趋势

胡椒作为一种热带经济作物，对水肥管理的要求比较高。我国胡椒水肥管理包括浇灌、沟灌、喷灌和滴灌等灌溉方法，传统的施肥方法以及近几年发展起来的水肥一体化管理技术。本文针对各种水肥管理方法的优缺点，提出水肥一体化技术将成为胡椒水肥管理的主要方法。     

The influence of mist irrigation on the potato: II. Growth and development

The influence of irrigation method on potato growth and development was assessed during three years. Low volume “mist” irrigation (M), furrow irrigation (F), mist plus furrow (MF) and no irrigation (NI) were compared. During a high and moderate stress season misting maintained the haulm later into the season and increased the proportion of small and medium size tubers. Further during the high stress season misted plots (M and MF) yielded more than NI plots.     

Zone-subsoiling effects on potato yield and grade

Soil compaction and erosion are problems in many Pacific Northwestern potato fields. We wanted to determine if zone-subsoiling would reduce these problems and improve potato yields and or grade without adversely impacting other production practices. Studies were conducted in Southern Idaho at six locations over two years on different soils and with different irrigation methods to assess the effects of zone-subsoiling immediately after planting on tuber yield and grade. Reservoir-tillage comparisons were made at three locations where sprinkler water application rates were higher than soil infiltration rates. Russet Burbank was represented by eight location-years and Russet Norkotah by two. Zone-subsoiling consistently improved tuber grade or increased tuber size. The biggest improvement was under furrow irrigation. Zone-subsoiling also tended to increase total yield in eight of ten location-years. Reservoir-tillage improved yield and grade, but zone-subsoiling did not without reservoir-tillage when water application rates were high. At no location did zone-subsoiling significantly decrease tuber grade or yield. Zone-subsoiling had no appreciable effects on hill configuration or seed-piece dislocation. Surface cracking and “water piping” occurred under furrow irrigation but were not significant problems. Results were similar for both cultivars. Additional studies will be needed to successfully incorporate zone-subsoiling into commercial production practices     

Effects of moisture stress and nitrogen fertilization on tuber nitrate-nitrogen content

Moisture stress in potato plants results in a significant increase in tuber NO_3?N levels. Research plots with three irrigation treatments and four nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 100, 200, and 500 lb N/A) (0, 112, 224, and 560 kg N/ha) were established to test the influence of soil moisture and nitrogen rate on tuber NO_3?N content. Data from these plots showed that regardless of nitrogen rate, potato tubers from plants subjected to moisture stress had NO_3?N levels approximately twice as high as tubers from plants under optimum or excessive irrigation. With low nitrogen fertilizer rates, tuber NO_3?N levels were 78 to 80 ppm under optimum and excessive irrigation treatments as compared to 144 ppm under the deficient irrigation treatment. With excessive nitrogen fertilizer rates, tuber NO_3?N levels were 151 to 154 ppm under optimum and excessive irrigation treatments compared to 370 ppm under deficient irrigation. Correlation between tuber NO_3?N and petiole NO_3?N levels suggest that moisture stressed plants have a different relationship between tuber and petiole than plants under proper to high soil moisture conditions.     

Crop water stress index for potato under furrow and drip irrigation systems

Summary This study was conducted to determine the crop water stress index (CWSI) for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown under furrow and drip irrigation methods and subjected to three different irrigation levels (100, 50 and 0% replenishment of soil water depleted). The lower (non-stressed) and upper (stressed) baselines were determined empirically from measurements of canopy temperatures, ambient air temperatures and vapor pressure deficit values. Tuber yield decreased when mean CWSI prior to irrigation exceeded 0.68 in furrow and 0.81 in drip irrigation. The tuber yield was directly correlated with the seasonal CWSI values and the linear equations for furrow and drip irrigation methods, Y = −45.82 CWSI + 50.69 and Y = −52.65 CWSI + 58.44, respectively, can be used for yield prediction.     

The influence of mist irrigation on the potato IV. Tuber quality factors

The influence of irrigation method on tuber quality factors was assessed during three seasons. Low volume “mist” irrigation (M), furrow irrigation (F), mist plus furrow (MF) and no irrigation (NI) were compared. Tubers from misted treatments (M and MF) tended to be lower in dry matter, had a high incidence of secondary growth and hollowheart, yielded darker chips, required more time to condition, were less mature, and contained more reducing sugars than those from NI treatments. Further the tubers from misted treatments tended to contain more P, Mg, Ca, Fe, Al, B and Mn, than those from NI plots at various times during the latter part of the season.     

极端干旱区滴灌量对冬小麦水氮利用及根系分布的影响

为明确新疆南部极端干旱区滴灌小麦的灌水量阈值,在常规沟灌(总灌量为3 750 m·hm^-2)的基础上,设计了四种减量滴灌模式(灌水量分别为3 376、3 000、2 625和2 250 m·hm^-2),分析了滴灌量对冬小麦产量、水氮利用效率及根系分布的影响。结果表明,土壤无机氮残留量因灌水量不同而异,灌水3 376和2 625 m·hm^-2时较低;各灌水条件下土壤无机氮残留量均随小麦生育期推进先降后升,在灌浆期达到最高,而后下降。随土层深度的增加,土壤中无机氮含量也逐渐递减。冬小麦水分利用效率随灌水量的增加呈先增后降趋势,灌水量在2 250 ~3 000 m·hm^-2范围内,随灌水量的增加,水分利用效率先逐步增加,而后下降。小麦根系长度随灌水量的减少呈递减趋势,当灌水量高于或低于3 000 m·hm^-2时,小麦根系出现早衰现象。     

水肥耦合对干热河谷冬春番茄产量及其品质的影响

干热河谷等“热区”以其充足的光照及相对较高的温度为冬春季蔬菜生产提供了重要条件,合理的水肥管理是保障区域蔬菜产业可持续发展及农业环境安全的重要举措。为提高西南热区特色作物水肥管理能力,巩固北方冬春蔬菜供应链,设置不同灌溉量（4469.10、2253.60、1806.70 m³/hm²）和施氮量（240、210、180、150 kg/hm²）2个因子,在元谋干热河谷开展冬春季节番茄大田试验,分析比较不同水氮处理对番茄产量、品质及其水肥利用效率的影响。结果表明：（1）降低灌溉定额后,番茄单果重显著增加（P<0.05）,总产量无显著差异（P>0.05）,番茄果横径和果梗洼大小显著增加（P<0.05）,糖含量和番茄红素显著降低（P<0.05）,水分利用效率显著提高（P<0.05）;（2）氮肥施用量显著影响番茄果梗洼大小（P<0.05）;（3）水氮耦合作用显著影响糖含量和番茄红素（P<0.05）,番茄产量和品质更易受水分供应限制,而受氮肥影响较小。结果显示元谋冬春茬番茄传统种植模式存在过量灌溉和过量施肥的现象,选择低水（灌溉定额1806.70 m³/hm²）中氮（180 kg N/hm²）的水肥管理策略,保产的同时能有效提高番茄水分利用效率,能产出品质较好的番茄,同时减小环境污染风险。     

Responses of three early potato cultivars to subsoiling and irrigation regime on a sandy soil

A compact subsoil restricts rooting and reduces the volume of soil from which plant roots can obtain water and nutrients. A reduced water supply may result in severe plant water stress between irrigations. A study was conducted on a sandy soil to evaluate the responses of three early potato cultivars (Norgold Russet, HiLite Russet, and Russet Norkotah) to subsoiling to loosen a compact subsoil and to four irrigation regimes. Differences among cultivar responses to irrigation and subsoiling treatments were minor. All performed best with daily irrigation to replace évapotranspiration (ET) and poorest when irrigation was interrupted during tuber bulking. With daily irrigation to replace ET, subsoiling had little benefit, but with inadequate irrigation, subsoiling improved yield and quality of tubers compared to not subsoiling. Averaged over all treatments, HiLite was the lowest yielding cultivar and had the least U.S. No. 1 and the most undersize tubers. Norkotah had the most U.S. No. 1 and the fewest undersize tubers.     

Effects of irrigation system and green manure on yield and nicotine content of Virginia (flue-cured) Organic tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum), under Mediterranean conditions

Organic tobacco consists of a new industrial crop product. Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of irrigation system and fertilization on the growth (biomass and roots) of organic tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabaccum cv NC 71). The experiment was designed as a split plot design with four replicates, two main plots (drip and sprinkler irrigation) and three sub-plots (vetch as green manure, red clover as green manure and control; without fertilization). Drip irrigation was characterised by lower amount of water applied to the soil. Furthermore the tobacco yield was not affected by the reduced water application and the crops under drip irrigation were higher than those with sprinkler irrigation. Positive effect of green manure in the nicotine content of tobacco leaves was also observed, and that reported for first time under organic system. Equally the higher amount of nitrogen from green fertilization with vetch led to increase of nicotine concentration (0.91% max concentration). Agronomic water use efficiency (WUE) for drip irrigation was always higher than those for sprinkler irrigation. There were no significant differences between the drip and sprinkler irrigation concerning the root biomass. Moreover, green manures increased roots dry weight. Yield of tobacco crop was significantly increased by the green manures, with the lowest yield (1850 kg ha^?1) to be found in the control plots. Finally, green manures increased the SPAD values and number of leaves, with most significant impact the time when vetch applied to soil.     

Is Partial Root-Zone Drying More Appropriate than Drip Irrigation to Save Water in China? A Preliminary Comparative Analysis for Potato Cultivation

China is the largest worldwide potato producer where around half of the crops is planted in the semi-arid region frequently affected by water restriction. While innovative methods are needed for water-saving irrigation methods, the use of low-cost and environmental-friendly technology must be prioritised. In this study, potato production under drip irrigation (DI, commonly adopted to save water) was compared with partial root-zone drying furrow irrigation (PRD) using the same water volume per irrigation, in both methods. Two initiation timings (early and late) were tested under shelter and field conditions, the water supplied during every irrigation being 50% of the crop water demand calculated for furrow full irrigation (FI, as control). The comparison of both methods was done through the assessment of tuber fresh-yield and estimated economic and environmental (carbon footprint and irrigation water use efficiency, WUE_i) benefits. Late PRD and DI produced the highest WUE_i without significant yield reduction. PRD produced 3.1% higher net benefit than DI with an estimated CO₂ emission of 3659 kg ha^?1 CO₂ (14% lower than DI). The input-output ratio (total input costs/yield output) for PRD was 0.4, which was 10% lower than DI. The study’s results suggested that PRD, with no less than 50% of the water applied in FI per application, not only maintained yield but could also increase revenues while saving water and reducing CO₂ emissions, compared to DI. Such results might help reduce the pressure on the water reserves in semi-arid potato-producing areas in China. Notwithstanding, a scaling-up of PRD technology must be tested in those regions to substantiate the findings of this preliminary study.     

Impact of early-season water deficits on Russet Burbank plant development,tuber yield and quality

Russet Burbank potatoes grown on Owyhee silt loam were subjected to early-season moisture stress by delaying initiation of furrow irrigation up to seven weeks after planting. A range of water stress treatments from 4 to 7 weeks after planting resulted in reduced plant size, tuber number and total tuber weight per plant 8 1/2 weeks after planting. Early-season water stress resulting from delayed irrigation onset was associated with improved tuber quality at harvest. Plants water stressed before tuber initiation had fewer tubers with dark stem-end fry colors, reduced percentage of US No. 2 potatoes, and increased percentage and size of US No. 1 potatoes. Increasing duration of soil water potential below -60 kPa early in the season was associated with declining total yield in 1985 but not in 1986. To obtain optimum yield and processing quality, the first irrigation should be no sooner than full plant emergence.     

Influence of fertilizer,irrigation, and storage treatments on nitrate-N content of potato tubers

A survey was undertaken to investigate the nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) content of potatoes grown on different soil types with different fertilizer and irrigation treatments. Tuber nitrate-N contents were determined immediately after harvest and after periods of storage of up to 210 days. Nitrate-N in tubers (dry weight basis) ranged from low values of 82 to 122 ppm for low nitrogen fertility levels to a maximum of 192 to 285 ppm at the highest nitrogen rates, where irrigation was applied at optimum levels. The average nitrate-N in tubers under such conditions was 150 to 160 ppm. Where irrigation management was less than optimum, the nitrate-N content of tubers increased, reaching an average maximum value of 786 ppm at the highest fertilizer rate. The study showed that the nitrate-N level in tubers increased with nitrogen fertilization rates, although there was not a linear relationship between N fertilizer rate and tuber nitrate-N. The highest nitrate-N levels obtained in the tubers under proper irrigation management, even with 800 lb N/A, did not exceed 300 ppm nitrate-N and were usually less than 200 ppm. Data collected from this study suggest that improper irrigation, especially with high nitrogen fertilizer rates, results in a dramatic increase in nitrate-N level in the tubers. Some individual tubers contained over 1200 ppm nitrate-N. There was an apparent slight increase in nitrate-N in the tubers with storage, although this increase was not consistent.     

Effect of the dyked furrow technique on potato yield

Summary The effect of the dyked furrow technique on potato yield was tested for 3 years in a commercial field on a sandy soil. Dykes, creating a surface storage capacity of 60 mm of water, were constructed in the furrows with special equipment after planting. Another implement, harnessed to the front of the tractor, was used to remove the dykes before harvesting. During 2 of the 3 years, the yield in the dyked furrows was 18% higher than that in the control plots. The dykes closely maintained the original volume of the ridges. The dykes seemed not to have any deleterious effect on mechanical harvesting since the percentage of tare (i.e. clods, soil and plant residue) and of rotten tubers were similar to the control.     

Water use in rice crop through different methods of irrigation in a sodic soil

Sodic soils are characterized by high exchangeable sodium on exchange sites, soil pH greater than 8.5, relatively low electrical conductivity, low infiltration rate and dispersed clay. These characteristics restrict the capacity of soil to absorb water, resulting in poor infiltration. Evidently, these soils require application of irrigation water at shorter intervals for crop production. Thus, irrigation strategy for sodic soils differs from that of normal soils. An experiment to determine the suitable irrigation strategy along with methods of application namely: surface (farmer’s practice), sprinkler (double nozzle impact sprinkler), and low-energy water application device (LEWA) were initiated in the year 2012 for rice crop. Irrigation depths of 6 cm in case of surface method and 4 cm in case of sprinkler and LEWA methods were applied at each irrigation event. The irrigation events for rice were scheduled at 2-DAD (days after the disappearance of the ponded water), 3-DAD, and 4-DAD through surface method, and at daily, 1- and 2-day intervals (after initial ponding disappeared) by sprinkler and LEWA methods. Sprinkler and LEWA methods resulted in highest rice yield of 4.4 t ha^?1 in irrigated plots at the 2-day interval which was at par with the highest yielding surface-irrigated plot scheduled at 2-DAD. At the same time, irrigation strategy of 2-day interval through sprinkler and LEWA methods registered water saving to the extent of 30–40% over 2-DAD under surface irrigation method. Results revealed that there could be substantial saving of water and energy (electricity and diesel) through the use of sprinkling devices for irrigating rice under sodic soil environments.     

Placement of soil moisture sensors in sprinkler irrigated potatoes

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is particularly sensitive to soil water potential below ?50 to ?60 J kg^?1 during tuber development. Soil water must also be carefully monitored to irrigate efficiently and to minimize nitrate leaching associated with over-irrigation. Water distribution in and below potato hills during and following sprinkler irrigation was monitored using granular matrix sensors (Watermark Model 200, Irrometer Co., Riverside, CA) placed in 0.10 m × 0.15 m cross-sectional grids down to 0.6-m depth below the soil surface. Each grid consisted of 26 sensors. Sensor electrical resistance had been calibrated to soil water potential. During one test, soil water potential was intentionally lowered to levels drier than ideal for potato to emphasize soil wetting and drying patterns. Over the 26 locations in the grids, the soil water potential averaged ?33 J kg^?1 over a six week period, with sprinkler irrigations evenly rewetting the upper 0.2 m of the hill. On average, the driest locations were the top of the hill, directly under the hill, and below the furrow with wheel track compaction. Ideal sensor locations for monitoring soil water status and scheduling irrigations are offset 0.15 m from the center of the hill and 0.1 to 0.2 m deep. Sensors installed in silt loam soil responded within four hours to wetting and within 12 hours to drying, the shortest increments of time measured.     

Effects of drip irrigation regimes on potato tuber yield and quality under plastic mulch in arid Northwestern China

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of drip irrigation regimes on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) growth, tuber yield and quality, and water use efficiency (WUE) when grown under plastic mulch in an arid area of Northwestern China in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The 2008 experiment consisted of a drip irrigation check without plastic mulch and four different drip irrigation frequency treatments with plastic mulch: once every day, once every 2 days, once every 4 days, and once every 8 days. In 2009 and 2010 the drip check treatment without mulch was irrigated at −25 kPa soil matric potential (SMP) during three potato development stages and four different SMP drip irrigation strategies were compared during the potato development stages (using plastic mulch): S1 (−25 kPa SMP during the three development stages), S2 (−25 kPa SMP during tuber initiation and bulking and −35 kPa SMP during maturation), S3 (−25 kPa SMP during tuber initiation and maturation and −35 kPa SMP during bulking), S4 (−35 kPa SMP during the three development stages). Plastic mulch negatively affected tuber yield, WUE, and tuber quality. In the presence of plastic mulch, tuber yield, specific gravity, starch content, and vitamin C content seemed to be enhanced as the irrigation frequency increased, although the differences were not statistically significant. Irrigation frequency did not affect WUE for potato grown under plastic mulch. Analysis of plant height, tuber yield and WUE showed that a drip irrigation threshold of −35 kPa SMP led to obvious water stress for potato growth in this arid area. Under plastic mulch in 2010, S2 was the optimum drip irrigation regime because of the significantly higher yield than S3 and S4, the highest WUE and significantly firmer tubers than any of the other irrigation regimes tested.