Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #115130
Title: EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND TILLAGE ON POTATO PRODUCTION IN A SANDY SOIL

Author
item Alva, Ashok
item HODGES, T - SELF-EMPLOYED
item DAVENPORT, J - WSU-IAREC
item Jabro, Jalal - Jay
item Boydston, Rick

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2000
Publication Date: 11/1/2000
Citation: ALVA, A.K., HODGES, T., DAVENPORT, J.R., JABRO, J.D., BOYDSTON, R.A. EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND TILLAGE ON POTATO PRODUCTION IN A SANDY SOIL. AGRONOMY ABSTRACTS, p.270. 2000.

Interpretive Summary: The Pacific Northwest (including Washington, Idaho, and Oregon) contribute to 55% of the total potato production in the U.S. The Columbia Basin region produces the highest potato yeilds in the country. Irrigation management is very critical for production of high yields and to minimize adverse water quality impacts. Three years' field study showed that deficit irrigation (85% of daily evapotranspiration ET) decreased the tota yield by 8 - 11% in Russet Burbank and 10 - 17% in Hilite Russet cultivars as compared to the yield with irrigation to replenish full ET. The tuber yield was not significantly influenced by reduced tillage with shallow furrow as compared to the conventional tillage with dammer dike. Flat planting (no tillage) also had no significant difference in tuber yields compared to the other two increased tillage treatments in two out of three years. This study demonstrates that reduced tillage can be a viable option non sandy soils.

Technical Abstract: The potato (solanum tuberosum L.) production areas in the Columbia Basin region in the Pacific Northwest represent coarse-textured soils with low organic matter content. These conditions may result in a high potential for nutrient and chemical leaching depending on irrigation management. To explore alternative management approaches to reduce leaching potential, Russet Burbank and Hilite Russet potato cultivars were grown under normal (100% ET) and deficit (85% ET) irrigation management and different tillage treatments. Total potato tuber yield (mean of three years) across all treatments ranged from 63 to 83 and 59 to 81 Mg/ha for Russet Burbank and Hilite Russet, respectively. When compared to normal irrigation treatments, deficit irrigation decreased total tuber yield by 8-11% in Russet Burbank and 10-17% in Hilite Russet. The deficit irrigation also decreased the U.S. No. 1 tuber yield in both cultivars. The tuber yield over two out of three years showed no significant difference between the conventional tillage, reduced tillage with shallow furrow, or flat planting with no tillage. In the third year, the tuber yield was significantly lower with no tillage compared to the other two treatments.