Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
herbicides such as diquat dibromide, paraquat
dichlor, or endothall. A combination of mechan-
ical and chemical methods may be used to kill
vines. Each method has pros and cons that should
be considered carefully before use. Methods that
kill the vines slowly are preferred, as rapid vine
kill may cause discoloration of the tuber vascular
ring on occasion, called stem-end browning (Hiller
et al
., 1985).
Skin set typically improves if vines are killed
after natural vine senescence has begun (Wilt-
shire
et al
., 2005). Because of this, it is often re-
commended that vine kill operations be delayed
until at least half the leaves have started to turn
yellow. In addition to killing vines to promote skin
set, minimize postharvest injury, bruising, weight
loss, and disease susceptibility, vines may be ter-
minated to control tuber size, avoid insect or disease
infestations, and facilitate vine removal during
harvesting.
however, the influences of growing region, cultural
practices, and environment cannot be overstated.
Differences in season length, radiation intensity
and duration, soil type and quality, temperature,
wind, irrigation, rainfall, seed health and physi-
ology, nutrient availability, intra- and inter-row
plant spacing, plant population, cultivation, pest
load and management influence potato growth.
Because of this, it is absolutely essential that
cultural management recommendations be
developed locally through research conducted
on cultivars common to the local markets.
Cultural management standards set forth by
private and public researchers, on-farm experi-
mentation, experience, education, and intuition
enable growers to identify and implement prac-
tices designed to keep their operation profitable
and competitive. To produce profitable, high-
quality yields with the ideal tuber size profile,
shape, storability, and palatability for each culti-
var of interest, local researchers must identify the
ideal amounts of soil moisture and fertility, plus
the proper planting date and depth, plant popu-
lation, intra- and inter-row plant spacing, and
integrated pest management for each locally
grown variety.
5.12 Summary
From plant propagation to plant and tuber ma-
turity, all potato varieties share commonalities;
References
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The Agronomy of Effective Potato Production
. British Potato Council,
Oxford, UK.
Allen, E.J., O'Brien, P.J. and Firman, D. (1992) Seed tuber production and management. In: Harris, P.M.
(ed.)
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CIS
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Burton, W.G. (1989)
The Potato
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