Potato : Cultivation method of potatoes

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a staple food in many European countries and has been proven to be valuable in providing food during emergencies. It is an important source of starch. It could be a wealthy source of body-building substances such as carbohydrates, vitamins (B1, B2, B6, and C), minerals (Ca, P, and Fe), and protein.

• Ideal conditions for better growing potatoes :

Soil: 

Almost all types of soil are are reasonable for the development of potato. The well drained clay loam soil with pH between 5.0 and 7.5 is considered as ideal for its cultivation. On sandy loam soil, crop can be effectively developed given manuring is done intensely and the crop is irrigated properly and timely.

Climate :

It could be a cool season crop and can endure moderate frost. It requires a soil temperature of 20°C for better germination. Young plant growth is good at 24°C but later growth is favoured by a temperature of 18°C. No tuberization takes place when the night temperature exceeds 23°C. Maximum tuberization occurs at 20°C. Tuber formation stops completely at about 29°-30°C.

Planting Season :

Planting time varies by region. In northern India, it’s from October to November, while in southern India, it’s from June to July.

Soil Preparation :

Deep ploughing helps in breaking hardpans and enhancing soil aeration. The fields are ploughed to a depth of 20-35 cm first with soil turning plough and afterwards by 4 to 5 ploughing with country plough/disc harrow.

Seed Selection, Varieties & Seed Rate :

1. Seed Selection: Use certified, disease-free seeds from reliable sources.
2. Varieties: Choose varieties suitable for the region and resistant to local pests and diseases.
3. Seed Rate: 25-35 q/ha.

Seed Treatment :

1. Fungicide Treatment: Treat seeds with fungicides to prevent fungal diseases.
2. Sprouting: Pre-sprout seeds by exposing them to light for 10-14 days.

Planting Season :

Planting time varies by region. In northern India, it’s from October to November, while in southern India, it’s from June to July.

Spacing :

Maintain a spacing of 45-60 cm between rows and 20-25 cm between the tubers within the rows to ensure adequate growth.

Breaking of Dormancy:

Hill tubers can not be used for autumn crop immediately because of dormancy period of 2-3 months in tubers. This dormancy can be broken by utilizing a few chemicals –

1. Thiourea (Sodium Potassium thiocynate) @ 1-2% solution which is used as a treatment to cut tubers for 1-1.5 hours and about 1 kg of thiourea is sufficient for 10 quintals of seed tuber. (Or)
2. Tubers are kept in 5 ppm solution of GA3 for 10 seconds.

Manures and fertilizers :

Apply FYM (farmyard manure) @100q/ha at the time of field preparation. Fertilizer dose varies depending upon the fertility of the soil. However, fertilizers are applied @ 120:80:60 kg N: P2O5: K2O /ha, respectively. Full dose of farmyard manure, phosphorus and potassium and half of N should be applied at the time of planting. Remaining part of N should be top dressed at the time of earthing up for effective utilization by the crop.

Irrigation :

Pre-planting irrigation is advantageous for uniform germination. Second irrigation is given after about a week and ensuing as and when required. Light and frequent irrigations are way better than heavy and less frequent irrigations. Water is applied effectively and economically at critical stages in crop development i.e. stolon formation, tuber initiation and tuber development stages of the crop. Irrigation is stopped about 10 days before harvesting of crop to allow firming of tuber skin.

Common Diseases and Their Management :

Early Blight (Alternaria solani)

1. Symptoms:

• Spots with concentric rings of brown to black colour are formed on the leaves.
• Heavily infected leaves fall off after drying.
• Spots also appear on stems.

2. Management:

• Destroy crop debris by burning.
• Spray mancozeb or zineb @ 2g/l or 0.3% copper oxychloride at fortnight intervals 3-4 times. 
• Grow resistant varieties, e.g. Kufri Naveen and Kufri Jeevan.
• Control with fungicides like Chlorothalonil.

Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans)

1. Symptoms:

• Lower leaves are infected generally from margin or apex and having cottony growth on the lower side.
• Water soaked lesions appear on the margins.
• Tubers decay under severe infection.

2. Management:

• Use disease free certified seed.
• Follow crop sanitation.
• Spray Ridomil MZ 72  (2g per litre of water)
• Grow resistant varieties like – Kufri Griraj and Kufri Himsona.

Black Scurf and Rhizoctonia Canker

(Rhizoctonia solani) 

1. Symptoms:

• Sprouts are killed before emergence.
• Cankers cause wilting of plants.
• Black crust on tubers gives ugly appearance.

2. Management:

• Plant disease-free, certified seed tubers and avoid planting in cold, wet soils.
• Seed tubers should be treated with recommended fungicides like thiophanate methyl.
• Follow crop rotation.

Common Scab (Streptomyces scabies) 

1. Symptoms:

• Tubers with common scab can have shallow, deep, or a combination of the two scabs.
• A shallow or surface scab is a shallow, roughened region on the tuber.
• Rough, corky lesions on tuber surfaces.

2. Management:

• Maintain soil pH between 5.0 and 5.5 and avoid alkaline conditions.
• Use resistant varieties and avoid using fresh manure.

Common Pests and Their Management :

Effective pest management is crucial for successful potato cultivation.

Aphids (Myzus persicae) 

1. Symptoms:

• Aphids feed on plant sap, causing yellowing, curling of leaves, and stunted growth.
• They also transmit viral diseases.

2. Management:

• Remove and destroy infested plant debris.
• Introduce natural predators like lady beetles and parasitic wasps.
• Use insecticides such as imidacloprid or neem -based products.

 

Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella)

1. Symptoms:

Larvae bore into tubers, creating tunnels and leading to secondary infections.

2. Management:

• Use healthy, certified seed tubers and practice crop rotation.
• Use pheromone traps to monitor and reduce moth populations.
• Apply insecticides like Bacillus thuringiensis and spinosad.

White Grubs (Holotrichia consanguinea)

1. Symptoms:

Grubs feed on roots and tubers, causing wilting and reduced tuber quality.

2. Management:

• Deep plowing to expose and kill larvae.
• Use entomopathogenic nematodes like Heterorhabditis bacteriophora.
• Apply soil insecticides like chlorpyrifos.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) :

To manage pests and diseases effectively, farmers should adopt an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. Key components of IPM include- 

a) Regular Monitoring: Scout fields regularly to detect early signs of pest and disease infestations.

b) Crop Rotation: Rotate potato crops with non-host crops to break pest and disease cycles.

c) Sanitation: Remove and destroy infected plant material to reduce sources of infection.

d) Resistant Varieties: Plant potato varieties that are resistant to common pests and diseases.

e) Judicious Use of Chemicals: Apply pesticides and fungicides based on economic thresholds and only when necessary, to avoid resistance buildup.

Weed Management :

a) Mechanical Control – Manual Hand weeding at 20-30 days after planting. And also Regular hoeing to keep the field weed free.

b) Chemical Control – Use pre-emergence herbicides like Metribuzin for effective weed control.

Harvesting and Its Methods :

a) Harvest when 70-80% of the foliage has yellowed.

b) Use mechanical or manual methods, ensuring minimal damage to tubers.

Post-Harvest Management :

a) Cure tubers at 15-20°C and 85-90% humidity for 10-15 days to heal wounds.

b) Store in cool, dark, and well-ventilated conditions at 4-7°C.

Conclusion :

Implementing Good Agricultural Practices in potato cultivation ensures better yields, higher quality produce, and sustainable farming practices. By focusing on site selection, seed treatment, nutrient management, irrigation, pest control, and proper harvesting techniques, Indian farmers can significantly improve their potato production. Embracing these practices will not only benefit the farmers economically but also contribute to the overall agricultural sustainability in the region.