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ARS Home » Plains Area » Temple, Texas » Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #362302
Research Project: Contributions of Climate, Soils, Species Diversity, and Management to Sustainable Crop, Grassland, and Livestock Production Systems

Location: Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory

Title: Improving soil health in pacific northwest potato production: A review

Author
item HILLS, KAREN - Washington State University
item Collins, Harold
item YORGEY, GEORGINE - Washington State University
item MCGUIRE, ANDREW - Washington State University
item KRUGER, CHAD - Washington State University

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/7/2019
Publication Date: 1/14/2020
Citation: Hills, K., Collins, H.P., Yorgey, G., McGuire, A., Kruger, C. 2020. Improving soil health in pacific northwest potato production: A review. American Journal of Potato Research. 97:1-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-019-09742-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-019-09742-7

Interpretive Summary: Consumer preferences are driving interest in improving soil health in potato production systems in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and beyond. Potato production poses a challenge in terms of soil health due to intensive tillage, minimal residue left on fields, short rotations, and the importance of managing soilborne pathogens. This review discusses existing soil health assessment methods and their relevance for the region and summarizes results of studies conducted in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, examining practices aimed at improving soil health and their effects on soil health, soilborne pathogens, yield and quality of potatoes, and net returns in potato production systems. These practices include reducing tillage; adjusting crop rotation length and species composition; reducing fumigation; and using cover crops, green manures, and organic amendments.

Technical Abstract: The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is an important area of U.S. potato (Solanum tuberosum) production. In 2016, about 134 million tons of potatoes (66% of the total U.S. production) were harvested in the PNW on 532,000 acres (58% of the total acreage of harvested potatoes in the U.S.) (USDA NASS 2017). Consumer preferences are driving interest in improving soil health in potato production systems in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and beyond. Potato production poses a challenge in terms of soil health due to intensive tillage, minimal residue left on fields, short rotations, and the importance of managing soilborne pathogens. This review discusses existing soil health assessment methods and their relevance for the region and summarizes results of studies conducted in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, examining practices aimed at improving soil health and their effects on soil health, soilborne pathogens, yield and quality of potatoes, and net returns in potato production systems. These practices include reducing tillage; adjusting crop rotation length and species composition; reducing fumigation; and using cover crops, green manures, and organic amendments.