Abstract
Droughts are common in the US High Plains, causing declining water availability and lowering water allocations. The objective of this 4-year field study was to identify a period of water deficit least detrimental to potato production. Fully irrigated ‘Atlantic’ potato received 62–63 cm of applied water. Total applied water was reduced by 25 % in three seasonal periods, 50 % water from emergence to 8 weeks after emergence (WAE) (early stress), 50 % water from 8 to 13 WAE (late stress), and 50 % from 0 to 5 WAE and again from 10 to 13 WAE (outer stress). Main plots were irrigation regime and split with three N levels, 101, 168, and 235 kg/ha. Soil and petiole N were higher when applied water was reduced. Lower irrigation inhibited growth, i.e., canopy height (10–20 %), weight (20–30 %) and leaf area index (50–70 %). Yield decreased 25 % and 13 % with early and outer stress, respectively. Chip color was darkest with early stress compared to fully irrigated plots. Common scab occurrence was greater in early stress than with other regimes. N rate had no effect on canopy growth, yield, chip color, or common scab. If applied water is reduced 15 cm, it is best late in the season and worst between 5 and 8 WAE compared to fully irrigated plants
Resumen
Las sequías son comunes en las planicies altas de EUA, causando disminución en la disponibilidad de agua y bajando su ubicación. El objetivo de este estudio de campo de cuatro años fue identificar un período de déficit de agua que fuera lo menos perjudicial para la producción de papa. La papa Atlantic con riego completo recibió de 62 a 63 cm de agua. El total del agua aplicada se redujo en un 25 % en tres ciclos, 50 % de agua de la emergencia a 8 semanas después de la emergencia (WAE) (agobio temprano), 50 % de agua de 8 a13 WAE (agobio tardío), y 50 % de 0 a 5 WAE y otra vez de 10 a 13 WAE (agobio externo). Los lotes principales tuvieron regímenes de riego y fueron divididos con tres niveles de N, 101, 168, y 235 kg/ha. El N del suelo y del pecíolo fue más alto cuando se redujo el agua aplicada. Los riegos más bajos inhibieron crecimiento, i.e., altura del follaje (10–20 %), peso (20–30 %) y el índice de área foliar (50–70 %). El rendimiento disminuyó 25 % y 13 % con agobio temprano y externo, respectivamente. El color de la hojuela fue el más oscuro con agobio temprano comparado con los lotes de riego completo. La incidencia de la roña común fue mayor en agobio temprano que con los otros regímenes. El nivel de N no tuvo efecto en el crecimiento del follaje, rendimiento, color de la hojuela, o roña común. Si el agua aplicada se reduce 15 cm, es mejor tarde en el ciclo y peor entre 5 y 8 WAE en comparación con plantas de riego completo.
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Acknowledgments
The author is grateful for the technical support of Les Kampbell, Allison Hazen and Todd Wilson, and the assistance of summer interns. I give special appreciation for the financial support of the USDA Specialty Crops Block Grant Program administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
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Pavlista, A.D. Scheduling Reduced Irrigation on ‘Atlantic’ Potato for Minimal Effect. Am. J. Potato Res. 92, 673–683 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-015-9483-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-015-9483-3