Performance of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in three tropical soil families as influenced by their temperature regimes

Potato experiments (cv. Kennebec) were conducted in three tropical soil families as part of a program to determine crop production potential and land capabilities of a network of tropical soil families. Good tuber yields resulted from matching the requirements of the potato crop to land characteristics. An average yield of 32,000 kg/ha was obtained in the thixotropic, isothermic soil family of Hydric Dystrandepts in Hawaii. The results of this study indicate that with optimum plant protection year-round potato production is possible in this family of Hydric Dystrandepts under rainfed conditions. Yields of irrigated plots in the clayey, kaolinitic, isohyperthermic soil family of Tropeptic Eutrustox were 36,000 kg/ha in the winter and 25,000 kg/ ha in the summer. The results indicate that winter temperatures are nearly isothermic, and are thus suitable for potato production, in an isohyperthermic Tropeptic Eutrustox of Hawaii. No yields were obtained from plantings in the clayey, kaolinitic, isohyperthermic soil family of Typic Paleudults in Indonesia and the Philippines. Tuberization did not occur in the warm and moist environment of the Typic Paleudults. Mismatch between the temperature requirements of the potato crop and the soil temperature regime of Typic Paleudults resulted in no potatoes.