Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
conveyor drop heights should be minimized
(<20 cm) to reduce bruising.
testing for and adding nutrients and water as
needed. Proper planting depth and spatial arrange-
ment of seed potatoes are critical in optimizing the
production of marketable-sized tubers. An antici-
pated harvest date must be established so input
level and cultural practices can be tailored to opti-
mize economic return within the harvest window.
Canopy and plant health must be main-
tained by practicing integrated pest manage-
ment and monitoring and measuring irrigation
and plant and soil nutrient status throughout
the season. Production inputs should be used to
maximize economic return, not necessarily yield.
Growers must embrace the idea that maximum
biological yield is not necessarily the same as the
maximum economic yield; at some level of plant
growth, the marginal gain in yield that may
come from adding more inputs is offset by the
cost of those inputs (the law of diminishing
returns). Proper input levels are typically deter-
mined and reported by public and private
research organizations (Lang et al ., 1999; Stark
and Westermann, 2003; Dampney et al ., 2013).
A balance of plant maturity, ideal soil moisture
and temperature, and proper harvester oper-
ation is essential in preventing tuber skinning
and bruising, and in turn optimizing quality and
economic return.
6.14 Summary
The commercial potato production cycle is es-
sentially an exercise in converting solar radi-
ation, CO 2 , water, and nutrients into tuber dry
matter—profitably. Practices implemented through-
out the production cycle must be adjusted to pro-
duce potatoes of marketable size, quantity, and
quality. The production journey begins by identi-
fying a market avenue for the harvested tubers.
This is followed by selecting a variety that is mar-
ketable and, if possible, efficient with inputs and
resistant to major diseases. Because all varieties
do not grow the same, it is essential that agronomic
practices be adjusted to fit each variety and grow-
ing region. Specific variety recommendations are
often available from the organization that devel-
oped the variety and/or government agencies
tasked with providing grower outreach.
The soil must be conducive to potato pro-
duction, free from clods and rocks, well drained
and fertile, and properly prepared to sustain growth
season-long. This includes reducing compaction
and excessive crop residue, addressing pests, and
References
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