1. JALPO POTATO DISCOVERY
2010
EDITION
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
It is the intention of the JALPO that the POTATO DISCOVERY should help the
VIEWER to discover the most important factors which influence the production and
DISEASES/PESTS development of the potato crop and to comprehend their interaction.
The JALPO accept no liability for any inaccuracies that might possibly be found or
negative consequences of the use of information contained in the JALPO POTATO
DISCOVERY.
1

2. PRODUCTION
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
PLANT & TUBER RELATION
CROP CARE
ECOPHYSIOLOGY
IRRIGATION
SEED PREPARATION
DISEASES/PESTS
SEED RATE AND CROP DENSITY
2

3. The potato plant
HOME
The potato used for consumption is a tuber bearing herbaceous plant. Main
plant parts are: haulm (foliage), tubers and roots.
PRODUCTION Potato Plant
Foliage
The main functions of the foliage (leaves and stems) are photosynthesis and
PLANTING respiration. The foliage is the "factory" of the plant in which the carbohydrates
are produced. These carbohydrates are used for haulm- and tuber growth. The
foliage is not suitable for consumption, but is occasionally used as cattle food
or fuel.
HAULM (FOLIAGE)
FERTILIZATION
Tubers
The tubers are used for consumption and for reproduction.
TUBERS
CROP CARE
Partitioning of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are used for the haulm growth and tuber
IRRIGATION growth. Haulm is needed for photosynthesis and has to
be kept functional for a sufficient period. In an efficient
production the major part of the carbohydrates is used
for tuber growth. A relation between haulm growth and
DISEASES/PESTS tuber growth exists.
A too abundant haulm growth delays tuber growth. It is
avoided to build the "carbohydrate factory" larger than
needed for production.
PARTITIONING CARBOHYDRATES
Roots
The roots are essential for the uptake of water and
nutrients from the soil.
ROOTS 3

4. HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
4

5. Haulm
The haulm consists of aerial and below soil level stems. The areal stems are in general hollow
and triangular in cross section. The lower part of the stem is round and solid. The stolons and the
roots grow on the below soil level stem parts. Mature leaves are compound, consisting of a petiole
HOME with terminal leaflet, lateral leaflets, secondary leaflets and sometimes tertiary leaflets. The foliage
of the crop is the "carbohydrate factory". Green leaves intercept light and CO2 and water is
converted in carbohydrates and water.
Indicators for light interception are: stem density, the morphological growth of the stem, LAI and
percentage ground cover.
PRODUCTION PHOTOSYNTHESIS & RESPIRATION
Stem density and crop density.
Crop density is either expressed as number of main stems per m2 or as the number of plants per
hectare. As a rule of thumb: the density for a consumption potato crop is 15 - 20 main stems per m2
PLANTING or 35 000 - 40 000 plants per HA .
A main stem is considered as a plant unit. From a seed 1, 2, 3, 4 or more main stems may develop
and it is more accurate to express crop density as number of stems per hectare, than as number of
plants per hectare. A stem is considered to be a main stem if it grows directly from the seed tuber.
The lower lateral branches from the stem are called secondary stems. If a secondary branches off
from the main stem, then this secondary stem may be considered as a main stem.
FERTILIZATION Mainstem and secondary stem
Morphological growth of the stem
Apart from lateral branching a potato stem may develop apical branches several times during its
growth according to a certain pattern, while the lower (first leaves of the plant) drop from the plant
CROP CARE or turn yellow. In fact during the production season the older leaves at the lower part of the plant
are replaced by new leaves at the top of the stem.
Morphology haulmgrowth
IRRIGATION During the first phases leave haulm growth is fast and later slower.
Haulm growth at various phases of growth
Consequently spraying schedules for late blight need to be adjusted to haulmgrowth.
SPRAYING SCHEDULES
DISEASES/PESTS Percentage ground cover
This is an important crop characteristic since it indicates what percentage of the incoming solar
irradiation is used for photosynthesis.
Ground coverage with green leaves
Leaf area index-LAI
Leaf area index-LAI is the ratio of leaf surface over soil surface.
LEAF AREA INDEX
5

6. TUBER YIELD ESTIMATION
Tuber yield estimation
A basic formula for production is:
HOME
PRODUCTION
Foliage and production
A judgment of the foliage in terms of: crop density (stem density), light interception, the quality of the foliage as
well as on a balanced plant growth is necessary to estimate yield.
A balanced crop shows sufficient, but not abundant, haulm growth.
PLANTING Production per day - bulking
It is estimated that, once the full bulking has started, the daily increase in tuber yield (the bulking rate) is close to
700 kg per hectare per day.
Thus each day that the foliage remains healthy green, is turgid and intercepts 100% of the incoming light, the
yield increases with 700 kg per hectare. With long days and high light intensity in optimal conditions a producton
FERTILIZATION of 1000 kg per hectare/hectare/day may be reached.
Balanced plant growth
A balanced plant growth is needed to obtain optimum tuber growth. Haulm growth can neither be too abundant
nor be too limited, but has to be adjusted to optimal production in the period available for production.
CROP CARE Calculations on potential yield
Potential yields can be calculated based on light interception. Such calculations allow comparisons between
potential yield with actual yield.
The gap between both the actual- and the potential yield is an indication for improvements to be made.
IRRIGATION Tuber yield estimation
Potential yield of a potato crop is estimated by judging a number of crop characteristics at a certain stage of the
crop:
• plant density
• stem density
DISEASES/PESTS • percentage soil cover (ridge size and ridge shape)
• colour of leaves (nutrition)
• ratio: haulm growth/tuber growth
• growth stage of the crop in relation to the period still suitable for growth
• presence of diseases and pests
• availability of water
6

7. HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
7

8. Leaf Area Index
Leaf area index and light interception
HOME Leaf area index ( LAI ) is the ratio of leaf surface over of soil
surface. LAI is the figure that indicates from a plant, the
number of layers that can be covered with leaves from that
PRODUCTION plant on the soil surface where the plant is growing.
For example: a Leave Area Index of 3 means that with all the
leaves of this crop the soil, on which it is growing, can be
PLANTING covered with three layers of leaves. Leaf area index is
determined measuring the surface of all the leaves of a plant.
The sum of these leave surfaces is divided by the surface of soil
FERTILIZATION that a plant occupies.
In a crop with a closed canopy and 40 000 plants per hectare,
one plant occupies 2500 cm2 soil surface. With a LAI=3 the
CROP CARE total surface of all the leaves of the plant then totals 7500
cm2). For the determination of the LAI the plant cannot be kept
intact, while also the determination of the LAI is labour
IRRIGATION intensive. Leaf area index ( LAI ) and percentage of soil
coverage with green leaves
Often the more practical method to determine the leaf size as
DISEASES/PESTS
an indication for light interception is the determination of the
percentage of soil coverage by green leaves. With a LAI of 3
almost 100% of the incoming light is intercepted and thus LAI =
3 corresponds with a soil coverage of 100%.
Percentage soilcoverage
8

9. HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
9

10. TUBERS
The tuber can be considered as a part of the stem which is adapted for food storage and reproduction. The
HOME tuber may be regarded as an enlarged stolon.
PRODUCTION The quality of potato tubers is a.o. determined
by size, chemical composition. These are
influenced by: variety, growing conditions
(duration) and storage.
PLANTING
SIZE OF TUBERS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION TUBER
FERTILIZATION QUALITY FRESH POTATOES
WASHING AND GRADING PICTURES
QUALITY PROCESSED POTATOES
CROP CARE Skin
The skin of a mature tuber is almost impermeable to chemicals, gases and liquids and also
provides good protection against micro-organisms and water loss.
IRRIGATION The rudiments of the scale leaves (the eyebrows) and of the buds (the eyes) in the axis of
the scale leaves can still be seen on the skin. Each eye has more than one bud. The skin of
the tuber has many lenticels. They may be considered as the stomata of the tuber.
DISEASES/PESTS
Cross section
In cross section of the tuber the following zones are visible: Outer cork layer (periderm),
inner storage parenchyma, outer storage parenchyma and vascular ring. The distance
between the skin and the vascular ring is normally 0.5 cm, but the skin and the vascular
ring are more or less in contact near the eyes and the stolon attachment.
Cross section tuber
10

11. HOME CROSS SECTION TUBER
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
11

12. PARTITIONING CARBOHYDRATES
Growing pattern (partitioning of assimilates)
Growing pattern
HOME The growth of the potato crop shows a certain pattern. There are the following stages: pre-emergence/emergence -haulm
growth - tuber growth.
Crop pattern
Planting, emergence, haulm growth, tuber growth, maturity
• From planting to emergence takes 2-4 weeks.
PRODUCTION • Tuber initiation starts 3 weeks after emergence.
• At first tuber growth is slow and continues at a constant rate (bulking rate = 700-1000 kg/hectare/day) as long as the haulm is
active and green.
• Tuber growth stops when 80% of the leaves are dead
QUICK EMERGENCE
PLANTING Short cycle crop and long cycle crop
As example a short cycle crop and a long cycle crop are given.
Long- and short cycle crop
Until the end of May the 'short cycle crop' yields 6.5 tonnes more than the 'long cycle crop'.
Then the 'short cycle crop' matures, while the 'long cycle crop' continues to grow.
FERTILIZATION Later in the season (end of July) the yield of the 'long cycle crop' is 7.5 tonnes higher than that of the 'short cycle crop'.
Factors affecting the crop cycle
Although there is an interaction between the factors which influence the crop cycle, each of them may have an effect of its own on
tuber growth and
haulm growth.
CROP CARE FACTORS AFFECTING HAULM GROWTH AND TUBER
GROWTH
Growing pattern adapted to available growth period
IRRIGATION
The growth pattern of the crop is adapted to the
period available and the crop uses this entire period.
If the cycle of the crop is shorter than the length of the
DISEASES/PESTS available growing period, the yield is lower than
would have been the case with a better utilization of
the available period. If on the contrary the pattern is
longer than the available season, too much
carbohydrate is used for haulm growth and at harvest
the crop is still immature.
For a good yield a balanced plant growth is needed,
with neither too much foliage nor too little foliage .
12

13. HOME CROP PATTERN
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
13

14. HOME LONG- AND SHORT CYCLE CROP
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
14

15. FACTORS AFFECTING HAULM GROWTH AND TUBER GROWTH
Seed age, variety, day length/temperature and nitrogen influence the relation between haulm growth and
tuber growth.
HOME Seed age
Seed age, physiological stage and seed vigour affects the growth of the plant. A crop grown from seed in the
optimal physiological condition produces a vigorous crop.
SEED PHYSIOLOGY AND GROWTH PATTERN
PRODUCTION
Variety
There are early-, mid early-, mid late- and late maturing varieties. The first group of varieties matures in a
relatively short production season (short cycle crops), whereas the late maturing varieties mature later and are
better adapted to situations where the growing season suitable for production is longer (long cycle crops).
PLANTING
Temperature and day length
Temperature and day length strongly influence the growing pattern of varieties. Short day stimulates tuber
initiation and restricts haulm growth (initiation of short cycle crops)
Relatively high temperature, combined with long day, tends to delay tuber initiation and to stimulate haulm
FERTILIZATION growth.
There is an interaction between day length and temperature with regard to tuber initiation of varieties.
High temperature delays tuber initiation more in long day than in short-day conditions.
The short day conditions in the tropics allow, that at relatively high temperatures cultivars from temperate
CROP CARE long day can be grown here in 120 days. Long cycle varieties (andigenum type) from the short day cool
highlands conditions, are neither suitable for the high temperature tropics nor for the long day temperate
climates.
Nitrogen, haulm growth and yield
IRRIGATION Nitrogen is not only a nutrient, but also acts as a growth regulator. In high doses it stimulates haulm growth,
delays tuber growth and may delay the crop to mature in time.
At low nitrogen the haulm development is poor(LAI=lower than 3), tuber growth starts early, bulking rate is
relatively low and if harvested before the first week of May the highest yields are obtained.
DISEASES/PESTS At high nitrogen, the haulm growth is abundant, tuber growth starts late, bulking rate is high but maturity is
late. The yield may be high if crop reaches to maturity.The high nitrogen crop is a risky crop since it takes a
long time to mature. The medium nitrogen crop gives the highest yield if harvested between the end of June.
The medium nitrogen crop is considered to be the safest crop, since it still matures relatively early (end
August) and yields high.
Hail and frost
Hail and frost affect potato yields. Yield reduction depends on severity of damage and the stage of growth
when it occurs.
There is an interaction between day length and temperature with regard to tuber initiation of varieties.
15

16. SEED PHYSIOLOGY AND GROWTH PATTERN
Seed sprouting stages
Sprouting methods
HOME Seed tubers after the end of dormancy taken from the cold store (2-4 oC) and taken to higher ambient temperature start
sprouting in about 1-2 weeks (Mini-sprouting of seed). When kept in dark conditions and in piles (bulk or bags) for longer time
the sprouts will be long, weak and slender. By separating the bags to allow ventilation sprout growth is slower and sprouts are
less weak.
When pre-sprouted seed is required the seed is taken from the cold store 6-8 weeks from the store, if necessary the apical
sprouts are removed and the seed is placed in thin layers in trays allowing the light to reach the spouts. The seed develops in
this way firm and strong sprouts.
PRODUCTION Sprouting in bags Sprouting in tray Pregerm sprouting method
Characteristics of sprouted seed
1.non sprouted seed non-dormant tubers - the eyes are 'closed':
emergence is slow and growing sprouts are easily attacked by micro- organisms.
PLANTING 2.mini sprouted seed - tubers start sprouting with small sprouts
(the eyes 'open' and greenish-yellow coloured buds are visible):
emergence is faster.
3.pre-sprouted seed - under light conditions, tubers produce strong sprouts of 1-2 cm:
pre-sprouted seed germinates quickly, roots develop early and the stems are vigorous.
FERTILIZATION Sprouting stages
Pre-sprouting leads to:
an early crop, early emergence and early tuber initiation. A 10 days earlier emergence and tuber initiation can be expected.
regular emergence and regular crop (= less subject to Rhizoctonia attack)
a relatively high yield when the available growing season is short.
CROP CARE early suppression of weeds by early canopy closure.
an earlier crop that may escape virus or Late Blight infection.
Sprouting and emergence
Example pre-sprouted crop:
IRRIGATION A crop from pre-sprouted seed can be considered as a short cycle crop and a crop from mini-sprouted seed as a long-cycle
crop. A crop from pre-sprouted seed is earlier, while the crop from mini-sprouted seed may mature later and continue to
produce for longer.
Sprouting and crop cycle
DISEASES/PESTS
Harvested until mid-July the 'pre-sprouted' crop in the given example, yields 4.5 tonnes of potatoes more than the 'mini-
sprouted' crop. Then the 'pre-sprouted' crop matures, while the 'mini-sprouted' crop continues to produce. Finally the yield of
the 'mini-sprouted' crop at late harvest is 3.5 tonnes higher.
PROFIT PRE-SPROUTING
16
SEED PREPARATION

17. HOME SPROUTING IN BAGS
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
17

18. SPROUTING IN TRAY
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
18

19. PREGERM SPROUTING METHOD
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
19

20. SPROUTING STAGES
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
20

21. SPROUTING AND EMERGENCE
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
21

22. SPROUTING AND CROP CYCLE
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
22

23. PROFIT PRE-SPROUTING
Budget: Pre-sprouted / mini-sprouted seed
HOME Example pre-sprouted crop: A crop from pre-sprouted seed can be considered as a short cycle crop and a
crop from mini-sprouted seed as a long-cycle crop. A crop from pre-sprouted seed is earlier, while the crop
from mini-sprouted seed may mature later and continue to produce for longer.
Sprouting and crop cycle
PRODUCTION Harvested until mid-June the 'pre-sprouted' crop in the given example, yields 4.5 tonnes of potatoes more
than the 'mini-sprouted' crop. Then the 'pre-sprouted' crop matures, while the 'mini-sprouted' crop
continues to produce. Finally the yield of the 'mini-sprouted' crop at late harvest is 3.5 tonnes higher.
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION The costs of pre-sprouting are € 0.06 higher than the costs of mini-chitting.
The seed rate is 2000 kg per hectare.
The price of the potatoes at early harvest is € 0.25 per kg and € 0.15 at late harvest.
CROP CARE Partial Budgets
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
At early harvest for the extra investment in pre-sprouting the rate of return is 7.3
This high rate of return for the higher sprouting costs certainly justifies the extra costs for
pre-sprouting
At late harvest for the extra investment in pre-sprouting the rate of return is 0.25
This low rate of return for the higher sprouting costs does not justify the extra costs for pre-
sprouting 23

24. ROOTS
HOME
Roots and water use
Plants growing from tubers develop adventitious roots at the nodes of the underground
stems and stolons. Plants grown from true seed develop a slender tap root from which
PRODUCTION lateral branches arise.
Uptake of water from ridges and from deeper soil layers
PLANTING The roots are essential for the uptake of water and nutrients from the soil. Only part of
the water needed is extracted from the ridge. The remaining part needed comes from
deeper soil layers
FERTILIZATION Water use of single plant
Rooting depth and irrigation frequency
Compared to other crops, potato roots rather shallow (often no deeper than 40 to 50 cm).
If, however, no obstructive layers or sharp transitions from one soil type to another occur
CROP CARE in the soil profile, plants may root as deep as 1 m. When rooting is deep, irrigation can be
less frequent than when rooting is shallow. For the growth of roots the presence of oxygen
is essential. With too heavy irrigations in the early growth of the crop there will be a lack
of oxygen and root growth is hampered. Compacted layers hamper root growth.
IRRIGATION
Rooting depth and soil conditions
Measures that can be taken to make conditions advantageous for deep rooting are:
DISEASES/PESTS
• select fields with good physical soil properties
• avoid too heavy irrigation in the early stages of crop growth
• adequate soil tillage operations
• avoid soil compacting
24

25. WATER USE OF SINGLE PLANT
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
25

26. HOME ROOTING DEPTH AND SOIL CONDITIONS
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
26

27. ECOPHYSIOLOGY
HOME Production Process
Crop production is a process and the tuber yield is high if:
• the dry matter production per day is high
• the production takes place over an extended period (number of days)
PRODUCTION • a large proportion of the dry matter is used for tuber growth (harvest index)
• the growing pattern of the crop is adjusted to the length of the available growing
period
PLANTING
Growing pattern and available growing period
Yield is optimal when the growing pattern of the crop is adjusted to the length of the
available growing period.
FERTILIZATION
GROWING PATTERN-PARTITIONING ASSIMILATES
Harvest index
CROP CARE The ratio: total tuber production/total plant production
Dry matter content
In a given period of time a certain quantity of dry matter is produced. Dry matter
IRRIGATION content is often inversely correlated with yield: Varieties with high tuber yield often
have a relative low dry matter content; Varieties with high dry matter content often
have a relative low tuber yield.
DISEASES/PESTS Tuber yield estimation
At any stage of the crop, the final crop yield can be fairly well estimated, by judging:
tuber formation, condition of foliage, maturity stage of the crop and the expected time
still available for production.
27

28. Growing pattern (partitioning of assimilates)
Growing pattern
The growth of the potato crop shows a certain pattern. There are the following stages: pre-emergence/emergence -haulm
HOME growth - tuber growth.
Planting, emergence, haulm growth, tuber growth, maturity
• From planting to emergence takes 2-4 weeks.
PRODUCTION • Tuber initiation starts 3 weeks after emergence.
• At first tuber growth is slow and continues at a constant rate (bulking rate = 700-1000 kg/hectare/day) as long as the haulm is
active and green.
• Tuber growth stops when 80% of the leaves are dead
PLANTING QUICK EMERGENCE
Short cycle crop and long cycle crop
As example a short cycle crop and a long cycle crop are given.
Until the end of May the 'short cycle crop' yields 6.5 tonnes more than the 'long cycle crop'.
Then the 'short cycle crop' matures, while the 'long cycle crop' continues to grow.
FERTILIZATION Later in the season (end of July) the yield of the 'long cycle crop' is 7.5 tonnes higher than that of the 'short cycle crop'.
Factors affecting the crop cycle
Although there is an interaction between the factors which influence the crop cycle, each of them may have an effect of its own on
tuber growth and
haulm growth.
CROP CARE
Growing pattern adapted to available growth period
The growth pattern of the crop is adapted to the
period available and the crop uses this entire period.
IRRIGATION
If the cycle of the crop is shorter than the length of the
available growing period, the yield is lower than
would have been the case with a better utilization of
DISEASES/PESTS the available period. If on the contrary the pattern is
longer than the available season, too much
carbohydrate is used for haulm growth and at harvest
the crop is still immature.
For a good yield a balanced plant growth is needed,
with neither too much foliage nor too little foliage .
HAULM GROWTH AND TUBER GROWTH RELATION
28

29. Haulm growth and tuber growth relation
HOME Root growth, haulm growth and uptake of water and minerals
After emergence the haulm and the roots develop simultaneously. If conditions are not favourable for root
growth, also haulm growth is poor and thus the "starch factory" of the plant will not produce enough
assimilates to obtain good yields. Adequate mineral and water supplies are needed for good functioning of
leaves.
PRODUCTION
Relation tuber growth and haulm growth
growth delays
During a part of the growing season haulm growth and tuber growth proceed simultaneously. A too abundant haulm
tuber initiation and delays crop maturation. Too little haulm growth may lead to an early maturity of the crop
PLANTING and if LAI is below 3 to a low bulking rate. Tuber growth starts slowly 3 weeks after emergence and continues
at a constant rate during the bulking period.
Factors affecting haulm and tuber growth
FERTILIZATION Seed physiology, external factors (day length and temperature) and Nitrogen influence the relation between
haulm growth/tuber growth.
FACTORS AFFECTING HAULM AND TUBER GROWTH
CROP CARE Under favourable conditions during the bulking period growth rate is estimated to be 700 kg - 1000 kg potatoes
per HA and per day.
Drought
IRRIGATION During a draught period, the rate of bulking is low.
After a drought period early in the season the plant may recover, but this is not the case if the drought period is
more to the end of the season. Bulking rate and drought
Hail and frost
DISEASES/PESTS Hail attack cause haulm damage and yield reduction. Yield reduction is high if hail is severe and attack is later
(plant cannot recover) in the season. After young plants are damaged by a night frost, these plants may
recover.
HAIL AND FROST
Late blight
If the foliage dies due to late blight, the tuber growth stops and the yield of the crop is low.
Other diseases causing an early dying (or destruction) of the foliage,which results in low yield, are Early blight
Late blight (or other foliar disease) and yield reduction
29

30. HAIL AND FROST
HOME Hail and night frost
Hail and night frost affect potato yields. The yield reduction will depend on:
• the severity of the damage and
PRODUCTION • the stage of growth when damage occurred.
Young plants may recover after damage and older plants may not.
Hail
PLANTING The example given shows that yield reduction is greater if the crop is attacked just
after flowering rather than before flowering, because the later attacked crops do not
recover.
FERTILIZATION
Hail damage
Night frost
CROP CARE If night frost occurred in an earlier stage of growth the yield reduction is may be
limited, but in case of a later attack later in the season the damage can be a disaster.
Yield is low and quality is poor (small tubers, low dry mater, high sugar).
In fields it is occasionally noticed that contrary to the majority of the older plants some
IRRIGATION of the younger plants have a reasonable re-growth
Frost damage
DISEASES/PESTS
Risk for attack by nigh frost is reduced by:
• to avoid soil tillage operations shortly before night frost is expected,
• to cover of emerging plants by ridging,
• to moisten the soil by irrigation shortly before low temperatures are expected.
30

31. HAIL DAMAGE
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
31

32. FROST DAMAGE
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
32

33. HOME LATE BLIGHT
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
33

34. Seed preparation
HOME
For seed potatoes there are several treatments: sorting, sprouting, cutting, seed disinfection.
Sorting
PRODUCTION Prior to selling seed lots or using them for planting, these lots have to be brought up to the minimum
seed standards by sorting. Lots containing tubers infected with quarantine diseases (e.g. brown rot)
should not be used as seed and be destroyed.
Sorting should take place not earlier than a few weeks before the seed is sold or planted. Seed lots
PLANTING that have already reached the "normal sprouting stage" and have been prepared for selling/planting,
should after sorting not be kept at high temperatures but temporarily be returned to the cold store in
case there are doubts that the seed is being sold/planted within two weeks after sorting.
SEED QUALITY
FERTILIZATION
Sprouting
Sprouting of seed accelerates the emergence of a crop. Especially when the available growing period is
CROP CARE short or when there is a risk of Rhizoctonia, sprouting of the seed is recommended. In no case non-
sprouted seed, which comes directly from the cold store, should be planted . Before it is planted the
seed should at least be exposed to higher temperatures for a week.
IRRIGATION SEED SPROUTING
Cutting
It may be considered cutting large tubers or tubers still in a physiological young stage.
DISEASES/PESTS CUTTING OF SEED
Chemical seed treatment
Before storage and/or planting the seed may be treated with chemicals to reduce losses and/or to
control diseases.
34

35. Seed quality characteristics
HOME
Essential seed quality characteristics are:
1. Purity of the variety
PRODUCTION
The seed should be of the variety as which it is sold
2. Physiological stage
At planting time the seed should be in such a physiological stage that emergence takes place
PLANTING quickly. The period between planting and emergence is a delicate stage and should be kept as short
as possible.
3. Seed size
FERTILIZATION The seed should be of the size specified.
4. Virus diseases
The seed should have no higher percentage virus infested tubers than is justified for the purpose
for which the seed is to be used: e.g. the production of table potatoes or seed.
CROP CARE
5. Quarantine diseases
The seed should be free of dangerous quarantine diseases, such as brown rot (Pseudomonas) and
ring rot (Corynebacterium).
IRRIGATION
6. Diseases spread easily during the season when infected seed is planted
The seed should not be infected with diseases that spread easily during the growing season and
which may destroy the crop (e.g. Phytophthora infestance)
DISEASES/PESTS
7. Diseases which negatively affect the quality of the potatoes when infected seed is planted
Common scab, Rhizoctonia. Seed programs aim at the production of quality seed and at reducing
the risks of spreading soil-borne and seed-borne diseases which negatively affect potato quality.
35

36. SEED SPROUTING STAGES
Sprouting methods
Seed tubers after the end of dormancy taken from the cold store (2-4 oC) and taken to higher ambient temperature start
HOME sprouting in about 1-2 weeks (Mini-sprouting of seed). When kept in dark conditions and in piles (bulk or bags) for longer time
the sprouts will be long, weak and slender. By separating the bags to allow ventilation sprout growth is slower and sprouts are
less weak.
When pre-sprouted seed is required the seed is taken from the cold store 6-8 weeks from the store, if necessary the apical
sprouts are removed and the seed is placed in thin layers in trays allowing the light to reach the spouts. The seed develops in
this way firm and strong sprouts.
PRODUCTION Sprouting in bags Sprouting in tray Pregerm sprouting method
Characteristics of sprouted seed
1.non sprouted seed non-dormant tubers - the eyes are 'closed':
PLANTING emergence is slow and growing sprouts are easily attacked by micro- organisms.
2.mini sprouted seed - tubers start sprouting with small sprouts
(the eyes 'open' and greenish-yellow coloured buds are visible):
emergence is faster.
3.pre-sprouted seed - under light conditions, tubers produce strong sprouts of 1-2 cm:
pre-sprouted seed germinates quickly, roots develop early and the stems are vigorous.
FERTILIZATION
Sprouting stages
Pre-sprouting leads to:
an early crop, early emergence and early tuber initiation. A 10 days earlier emergence and tuber initiation can be expected.
regular emergence and regular crop (= less subject to Rhizoctonia attack)
CROP CARE a relatively high yield when the available growing season is short.
early suppression of weeds by early canopy closure.
an earlier crop that may escape virus or Late Blight infection.
Sprouting and emergence
IRRIGATION
Example pre-sprouted crop:
A crop from pre-sprouted seed can be considered as a short cycle crop and a crop from mini-sprouted seed as a long-cycle
crop. A crop from pre-sprouted seed is earlier, while the crop from mini-sprouted seed may mature later and continue to
DISEASES/PESTS produce for longer.
Sprouting and crop cycle
Harvested until mid-July the 'pre-sprouted' crop in the given example, yields 4.5 tonnes of potatoes more than the 'mini-
sprouted' crop. Then the 'pre-sprouted' crop matures, while the 'mini-sprouted' crop continues to produce. Finally the yield of
the 'mini-sprouted' crop at late harvest is 3.5 tonnes higher.
PROFIT PRE-SPROUTING
36

37. CUTTING OF SEED
In many countries seed cutting is practiced, especially if the seed size is large.
HOME This is done to:
• economize on seed costs,
• stimulate sprout growth if seed is still dormant,
• increase stem number if seed is still in the early apical stage.
PRODUCTION Either plant cut seed directly in moist soil and cover immediately or cut seed prior to planting and store a few days under
conditions favourable for suberization (temperature about 15 C, relative humidity 85% and a sufficiently high oxygen
content
of the air.
Seed pieces, either freshly cut and planted or properly healed before planting, can be just as productive and healthy as
PLANTING whole small seed tubers. The desired seed piece size from the stand point of productivity and planter performance is:
28 g and < 56 g.
Soil conditions at planting are frequently favourable for suberization or healing of the cut surface so that freshly-cut seed
pieces can be planted directly after cutting. This requires that the cutting operation and the planting operations be
FERTILIZATION synchronized to avoid holding unplanted cut seed pieces an extended length of time.
It is safe to cut seed tubers some time ahead of planting if storage conditions promote healing of the cut surfaces.
Wound healing is best accomplished by:
1) holding the cut seed pieces 3 to 5 days at temperatures of 13-18 C,
CROP CARE 2) maintaining a relative humidity of at least 85 percent, and
3) providing good ventilation.
Failure to provide any of these conditions can lead to seed piece decay.
Seed cutting (drawing) Seed cutting
IRRIGATION Risks
The percentage emergence may be lower if cut seed is used (due to seed piece decay). In general the percentage of
emergence is inversely proportional to the size of the cut tuber pieces.
Another disadvantage of cutting may be the transmission of certain diseases by means of the knife: PVX, PVS, ring rot
DISEASES/PESTS (Corynebacterium sepedonicum), brown rot (Pseudomonas solanaecearum), blackleg (Erwinia carotovora var. atroseptica).
The following measures are relevant to reduce risks:
• do not cut seed when there is a risk transmitting of dangerous diseases (contaminated lots).
• periodically disinfect cutting tools in a 1% solution of calcium hypochlorite.
• do not cut physiologically old seed.
• do not use cut seed when soil temperature is high (e.g. 25 C).
• do not cut seed of varieties susceptible to Fusarium and which are slow in wound healing.
• cut seed pieces should not be exposed to hot sun or wind for even a short time or they will severely shrivel and
may decay (keep cut seed in the shade).
37

38. HOME SEED CUTTING (DRAWING)
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
38

39. HOME SEED CUTTING
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
39

40. SEED RATE AND CROP DENSITY
Crop density:
The crop density is expressed as:
• number of stems per m2
HOME • number of plants per HA
For table potatoes the density is 40 000 plants/HA or 15-20 stems per m2.
For seed the density may be as high as 60 000 plants/HA or 30 stems per m2.
Seed rate:
PRODUCTION A stem density of 15 stems/m2 or 30 stems/m2 can be reached by planting different sizes of seed.
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
The seed sizes:(< 35 mm , 35-45 mm, 45-55 mm) are commonly used.
Relation seed size and seed weight Seed Size
Stem density:
IRRIGATION The number of stems per m2 is a more accurate manner to express crop density than number of plants per hectare.
Total yield increases until a density is reached of approximately 15-20 stems per m2. With a further increase of stem density the
yield remains more or less the same, but the average tuber size decreases (relatively more small tubers).
Graph: density-yield-tuber size
DISEASES/PESTS Seed sizes:
The seed sizes are expressed in diameter: < 35 mm , 35-45 mm, 45-55 mm and > 55 mm.
The same density can be reached with large sized seed and with small sized seed. The price of the different seed sizes
determines the preference of the user:
Producers of table potatoes have a certain preference for smaller sized seed, while seed growers often use their bigger sized
tubers for re-multiplication as seed.
Mini-tubers from rapid multiplication programs are often very small (e.g. 10-30 mm) and require special care in the first field
multiplication (eg shallow planting, cover with perforated plastic).
Size and vigour:
The seed size not only has an effect on stem number, but also on the early development of the crop. Larger sized seed gives an
early and vigorous crop. Mini-tubers(10-30 mm) from rapid multiplication programs, are slow in their early development and
crops grown from these tubers require a relatively long growing Period.
40

41. HOME RELATION SEED SIZE AND SEED WEIGHT
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
41

42. SEED SIZE
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
42

43. HOME GRAPH: DENSITY-YIELD-TUBER SIZE
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
43

44. Crop establishment
HOME During the cropping season the farmer makes many decisions with
regard to the establishment of the crop and interferes in the crop
growth continuously when needed. His actions are focused on good
PRODUCTION yield and good quality.
The timing of his work is extremely important.
PLANTING A one day delay in implementing a certain operation ( e.g. planting,
spraying, irrigation, harvest) makes the difference between success
and failure.
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
SOIL TILLAGE AND SEED BED PREPARATION
PLANTING AND RIDGING
44

45. SOIL TILLAGE AND SEED BED PREPARATION
Soil tillage, seed bed preparation, planting and ridging aims at:
• a quick emergence
HOME • a deep penetration of the roots
• a good drainage
• weed control
PRODUCTION • to prepare sufficient loose soil necessary for the formation of a ridge in which the new
growing tubers are well protected
Soil leveling
Leveling of soils is done to prevent water logging on lower spots after irrigation or intensive rain.
PLANTING
Main soil tillage operation
The main soil tillage operation with a plough (chisel plough, disc plough, mould board plough) is
FERTILIZATION down to a depth of 25-35 cm.
Objectives of the main soil tillage
to loosen the soil, to break impermeable layers, to improve drainage, to bring organic matter into
CROP CARE the soil . The main soil tillage operation is an efficient weed control method, when executed with
an implement that turns the soil (mould board plough, disc plough).
IRRIGATION Seed bed preparation, compacting and clods Seed bed preparation starts at right moisture
content. Soil tillage in wet soils results in soil compaction and clod formation. Soil compaction
leads to poor drainage and poor root development. Clods often remain in the ground until
harvest. Under dry soil conditions it is difficult to break down the soil.Cultivate soils no deeper
DISEASES/PESTS than the moisture content allows. About 10 cm of loose soil is needed to make a ridge.
For seed bed preparation pto-driven harrows give good results. A combination of planting and
seed bed preparation in one
Operation is used to avoid soil compaction.
Cover of tubers by a layer of soil
Cover of tubers by a layer of soil prevents greening, attack by insects (e.g. tuber moth) or fungi
(e.g. Phytophthora infestans) and a high rise of temperature (secondary growth).
Protective layer of soil 45

46. PROTECTIVE LAYER OF SOIL
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
46

47. PLANTING AND RIDGING
Potatoes on ridges
Growing potatoes on ridges allows shallow planting, since later in the season a ridge is build
HOME to protect tubers with sufficient soil.
Newly grown potatoes are well protected by soil layer
PRODUCTION
The tubers are better drained if the crop is grown in ridges than when grown in flat soil.
Growing of potatoes on ridges also facilitates surface (furrow) irrigation
Covering of tubers by a layer of soil protects tubers against:
PLANTING - greening
- attack by insects (e.g. tuber moth)
- attack by fungi (e.g. Phytophthora infestans)
- high temperature (second growth)
FERTILIZATION - physiological disorders (growth crack, hollow heart, etc.)
Covering of tubers by a layer of soil protecting the tubers, can be achieved by:
- deep planting
CROP CARE - making large and well shaped ridges
- increasing row distance which facilitates the making of better ridges.
Planting depth
The planting depth determines the position of tubers growing in the ridge and influences the
IRRIGATION depth of the layer of earth protecting these tubers.
PLANTING DEPTH
DISEASES/PESTS Row distance and ridge size
With increasing row distance it is easier to make a sufficiently large ridge in which the tubers
are well protected.
ROW DISTANCE AND RIDGE SIZE
Time of ridging and re-ridging
In many cases, soon after planting only a shallow ridge is made and the final ridge is then
made at emergence or when plants are 15-20 cm high.
47
A final ridge is already made at planting in case temperature is expected to be relatively high
(>12-15 C) and herbicides with a residual effect are used.

48. PLANTING DEPTH
HOME With deep planting the tubers in the ridge are better protected by soil than
with shallow planting.
Planting depth
PRODUCTION
Advantages and disadvantages of deep-, normal-, and shallow planting.
PLANTING Deep
- tubers well covered by soil and well protected against direct light
FERTILIZATION (greening of tubers)
- tubers well protected against high temperatures (secondary growth)
- tubers well covered by soil and well protected against tuber moth and
late blight
CROP CARE - difficult to lift potatoes with elevator digger
- poor drainage after irrigation or rain
IRRIGATION Normal
- tubers reasonably well protected by soil, but re-ridging may be needed
DISEASES/PESTS - relatively easy to lift with elevator digger
- drainage rather good after irrigation or rain
Shallow
- tubers insufficiently covered by soil
- easy to lift with elevator digger
- drainage good after irrigation or rain 48

49. PLANTING DEPTH
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
49

50. ROW DISTANCE AND RIDGE SIZE
With a wide row distance it is easier to make a sufficiently large ridge in which the tubers
HOME are well protected.
Row distance and ridge size
Row distance and canopy closure.
PRODUCTION At a row distance of 50 cm or 60 cm the crop canopy closes earlier than at a wider row
distance (e.g. 90 cm). In regions where varieties are grown with long stolons and an
abundant haulm development, the row distance is wide (e.g. 90-110 cm)
PLANTING
In areas where the potatoes have a relatively poor haulm growth and the ridging and re-
ridging is done using manual tools, the row distance is often between 60 and 70 cm.
FERTILIZATION Row distance and mechanization.
In Europe the row distance gradually increased from 65 cm to 75 cm. The reason was the
introduction of mechanization, especially the complete harvesters. These harvesters
require a more shallow planting, but a sufficiently large ridge to cover the tubers with soil
CROP CARE remained relevant. With adaptation of the ridgers it was possible, at a row distance of 75
cm, to make a ridge in which the tubers are well protected. Narrow tractor tires were
introduced to avoid soil compacting in the ridge.
IRRIGATION Row distance: 90 cm
Experiments showed that in good crops the yield with a row distance of either 65 cm or 75
cm is the same, but there is a tendency that row distance will further increase.
With a row distance of 90 cm the total yield may decrease slightly, but the net yield can be
DISEASES/PESTS higher. The reason is that with a wide row distance a larger ridge can be made in which
tubers are better protected by soil and tuber quality improves. (Less: green potatoes,
secondary growth, misshapen tubers). With the wider row distance there is less
compacting within the ridge by the tractor wheels.
50

51. ROW DISTANCE AND RIDGE SIZE
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
51

52. FERTILIZATION OF POTATOES
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
Different Combination of Fertilizers used by
IRRIGATION farmers in Potato Crop are explained. There
are number of more different combinations.
DISEASES/PESTS
52

53. Different Combination of Fertilizers used by
HOME farmers in Potato Crop
Combination No.
PRODUCTION Fertilizer No. of Nutrients in KG Micro
Basal/EU Bags Nutrient
(50 Kg) Zn
PLANTING
N P K S
FERTILIZATION 1 BASAL DOSE
DAP 18:46 2.5 23 58 -- -- --
CROP CARE
Ammonium 3 30 -- -- 36 --
Sulphate 20%
IRRIGATION MOP60% 2 -- -- 60 -- --
Earthing Up
DISEASES/PESTS Dose
Urea 46% 1 23 -- -- -- --
Zinc 21% -- -- -- -- -- 15 Kg/
Zinc (chelated) 0.5 Kg
Total 8.5 76 58 60 36 15/0.5 Kg

54. Different Combination of Fertilizers used by
HOME farmers in Potato Crop…contd
PRODUCTION Fertilizer No. of Nutrients in KG Micro
Basal/EU Bags Nutrient
Combination
(50 Kg) Zn
PLANTING
No. N P K S
FERTILIZATION 2 BASAL DOSE
DAP 18:46 2.5 23 58 -- -- --
CROP CARE
Ammonium 2 20 -- -- 24 --
Sulphate 20%
IRRIGATION MOP60% 2 -- -- 60 -- --
Earthing Up
DISEASES/PESTS Dose
Urea 46% 1.5 34 -- -- -- --
Zinc 21% -- -- -- -- -- 15 Kg/
Zinc (chelated) 0.5 Kg
Total 8 80 58 60 24 15/0.5 Kg

55. Different Combination of Fertilizers used by
HOME farmers in Potato Crop…contd
Fertilizer No. of Nutrients in KG Micro
PRODUCTION
Combination
Basal/EU Bags Nutrient
(50 Kg) Zn
PLANTING
N P K S
No.
3 BASAL DOSE
FERTILIZATION
DAP 18:46 2.5 23 58 -- -- --
CROP CARE Urea 46% 1 23 -- -- -- --
MOP 60% 2 -- -- 60 -- --
IRRIGATION Sulphur 80% -- -- -- -- 3 Kg --
WDG
Earthing Up Dose
DISEASES/PESTS
Urea 46% 1.5 34 -- -- -- --
Zinc 21% -- -- -- -- -- 15 Kg/
Zinc (chelated) 0.5 Kg
Total 7 80 58 60 3 Kg 15/0.5 Kg

56. Crop care
HOME During the cropping season the farmer makes many decisions with
regard to the maintenance of the crop and interferes in the crop
growth continuously when needed. His actions are focused on good
PRODUCTION yield and good quality. The timing of his work is extremely important.
Crop maintenance (haulm growth and tuber growth) includes:
irrigation, pest and disease control, rouging, weed control, haulm
PLANTING destruction and harvest.
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
56

57. WATER USE AND IRRIGATION
Water use
The water use of a crop with a closed canopy is about 90% of the evaporation of an open water surface. The evaporation may
be 3 mm - 8 mm per day, depending on climatic conditions.
HOME
PRODUCTION
The water used by a crop is replaced by rainfall or irrigation.
An estimate on the irrigation frequency can be made using good weather observations.
The need for irrigation can also be determined by estimating the soil water content by
PLANTING hand.
Rooting depth
For water supply of a crop it is important that the plants forms deep roots
FERTILIZATION ROOTING DEPTH
Irrigation methods
Irrigation methods surface-, sprinkler- and micro-irrigation.
CROP CARE IRRIGATION METHODS
Drought periods
A drought period at the early stages will stop the production of the crop for some time,
but a late drought period towards the end of the season will lead to an early dying of
IRRIGATION the crop and results in low yield.
Soil cracking
It is essential to continue with irrigation until harvest, since with dry soils harvest is
DISEASES/PESTS difficult and soils begins to crack. Through these cracks the tuber moth can reach the
tubers.
Water surplus
Too much water has negative effects: 1) wasting of water, 2) poor root development, 3)
opening of lenticels, which allow micro-organisms to enter, 4) increased risks of tubers
to be attacked by fungus and bacterial diseases.
Water quality
Irrigation water should not contain too much salt and be free from dangerous bacterial
diseases (e.g. Bacterial wilt). 57

58. ROOTS
HOME
Roots and water use
Plants growing from tubers develop adventitious roots at the nodes of the underground
PRODUCTION stems and stolons. Plants grown from true seed develop a slender tap root from which
lateral branches arise.
PLANTING Uptake of water from ridges and from deeper soil layers
The roots are essential for the uptake of water and nutrients from the soil. Only part of
the water needed is extracted from the ridge. The remaining part needed comes from
deeper soil layers
FERTILIZATION
Water use of single plant
Rooting depth and irrigation frequency
CROP CARE Compared to other crops, potato roots rather shallow (often no deeper than 40 to 50 cm).
If, however, no obstructive layers or sharp transitions from one soil type to another occur
in the soil profile, plants may root as deep as 1 m. When rooting is deep, irrigation can be
less frequent than when rooting is shallow. For the growth of roots the presence of oxygen
IRRIGATION is essential. With too heavy irrigations in the early growth of the crop there will be a lack
of oxygen and root growth is hampered. Compacted layers hamper root growth.
DISEASES/PESTS Measures that can be taken to make conditions advantageous for deep rooting are:
• select fields with good physical soil properties
• avoid too heavy irrigation in the early stages of crop growth
• adequate soil tillage operations
• avoid soil compacting
58

59. WATER USE OF SINGLE PLANT
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
59

60. Irrigation methods
• Main irrigation methods are: surface irrigation, sprinkler irrigation
HOME and micro irrigation.
Surface irrigation
PRODUCTION Since potatoes are mainly grown on ridges the main surface irrigation
method used is furrow irrigation. The system is used when there is:
- ample water supply
- on medium to fine texture soils
PLANTING - on uniform sloping land with slopes ranging from 0-1%
The water use efficiency is relatively low. The investment costs as
well as operational and maintenance costs are medium.
FERTILIZATION FURROW IRRIGATION
Sprinkler irrigation
Sprinkler irrigation is used where there is:
CROP CARE - water scarcity
- soils with low water holding capacity and high infiltration rate
- irregular topography and soils too shallow to be levelled
IRRIGATION
The water use efficiency is relatively high. The investment costs and
maintenance costs are relatively high.
SPRINKLER IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS Micro irrigation
Drip irrigation is used where there is:
- water scarcity
- a very low water holding capacity of soils
- a very high or low infiltration rate and drainage of excess irrigation
water is difficult
- water salinity
The water use efficiency is high. The investment costs are high.
DRIP IRRIGATION 60

61. Pest and disease control
During the growing season the major fungus diseases are late blight and early blight.
An adequate spraying with protective fungicides against late blight also protects against early blight.
HOME Late blight:
For chemical control quite a number of effective fungicides is available. It concerns a.o. the groups of the dithiocarbamates zineb,
maneb and mancozeb and the copper compounds, which are extensively used.
At present new types of fungicides are being produced which are introduced as they are more friendly to the environment
None of these products is able to effectively control late blight for more than six to eight weeks under severe disease pressure,
which is considerably shorter than the growing season.
PRODUCTION Therefore it is essential to prevent early infections by removing infection sources and by an early start of spraying.
Crops should be protected when conditions are favourable for Late blight
CHEMICALS LATE BLIGHT EARLY BLIGHT
Late blight favourable conditions:
Late blight favourable conditions are marked by one or more of the following:
PLANTING • night temperatures do not drop below 7 °C.
• temperatures between 15 and 21 °C are the most favourable for lesion development and sporulation, whereas at temperatures
over 29 °C the pathogen does not develop.
• leafwet periods (dew and rain) over 6 hours are favourable for new infections.
• leafwet periods over 8 hours are very critical.
FERTILIZATION • in case of a severe late blight crop infection, seed tubers may carry over a large amount of inoculum to their following growing
season. Massive late blight outbreaks will occur when conditions are favourable to disease development, hence start spraying
earlier and more frequently. At times when conditions are favourable for the development of late blight crops should be
protected with the fungicides.
Spraying schedules for late blight control
Until recently, the most common rule for chemical late blight control was: "Start spraying against late blight when the leaves of
CROP CARE the plants within the row touch and repeat spraying every 7 days when conditions for late blight are favourable and every 10
days when conditions for late blight are not favourable".
With the presently more aggressive populations of P. infestans this rule of thumb has become obsolete.
In stead of 7 days the generation time of the pathogen is now 4 days. Hence, spraying should be done when conditions for late
blight development are favourable and intervals may be as short as 4 days.
The start of the sprayings against Late bight is influenced by:
IRRIGATION • infection pressure
• susceptibility of the cultivar grown
• growth of the plants
• the existing weather conditions
Infection pressure
DISEASES/PESTS If infection in the area is low and when there is no risk of infections from oospores start spraying later. Use of a, for the local
conditions, adequate disease- forecasting-system is very useful.
Susceptibility cultivar
Susceptible cultivars are to be sprayed more frequently than cultivars with a higher level of resistance. For a susceptible and a
more resistant cultivar the interval may respectively be 4 and 10 days.
Growth of the plants
Crops with fast growing haulm need more frequent sprays than when growth is slow. Leaves that developed after the last spray
are unprotected. With fast growing haulms, fungicides with a systemic component are recommended.
Weather conditions
In periods that conditions are favourable for Late blight spraying is frequent. Efficiency of chemical control interacts with rain.
Some hours of dry weather are necessary to allow the chemical to stick to the leaves.
INTERACTION WITH RAIN 61

62. Information on fungicides
Fungicides are subdivided into different groups: contact fungicides, preventive fungicides, curative fungicides,
systemic fungicides and translaminar fungicides.
HOME
Contact fungicides
Contact fungicides are fungicides which act against the pathogen on the surface of the plant. In the past
contact fungicides were synonymous with preventive fungicides. Preventive fungicides are acting against the
PRODUCTION fungus before entering the plant tissues. At present there are preventively acting products which are
transported to higher plant parts. These products are excreted on the surface of these higher (or newly
formed) plant parts and give protection.
Systemic products
PLANTING
Systemic products are transported inside the tissues of the host. In most cases this transport is upward.
Curative products
FERTILIZATION Curative products are products which act against the growing parts of the fungus which are mainly inside the
host tissues. Curative products are therefore also systemic products. A number of modern contact fungicides
are transported systemically as well, but do not act against the fungus inside the leaf.
Translaminar products
CROP CARE
Translaminar products are considered to have a limited transportation within leaves (about a diameter of 1 cm
or less from where a droplet of fungicide has been deposited). Their application is to cut down infections up to
24 hours old. However, with a higher concentration of the same product, this period is extended to at least 2
to 3 days. The difference between trans-laminar and systemic is not a clear one and may depend on the
IRRIGATION concentration (or better the amount) of the concerned component applied.
DISEASES/PESTS
62

63. EARLY BLIGHT
Control of Alternaria includes:
Sanitation
HOME It is recommendable to reduce the build-up of inoculum in field soils by removing the affected crop residues.
Fertilization
It has been experienced that a good control of early blight was obtained by fine tuning the fertilization with
especially micro-elements such as manganese, zinc, boron and iron. The effects of such treatments surpassed those
PRODUCTION of chemical control.
Resistance
Relatively little work has been done on breeding for resistance to early blight:1) early blight is by breeders often not
considered as an important disease, 2) breeding is not easy and testing is complicated.
The resistance reaction depends amongst others on age and on environmental conditions. As a consequence early
PLANTING varieties show more pronounced symptoms in the field while late varieties have a tendency to escape from the most
severe stages of the disease. Hence, results coming from field trials should be looked at with caution.
Fungicides
A proper timing of the application of fungicides is a necessity
FERTILIZATION Spraying before the onset of secondary spore flights often does not pay off as the resulting lesions are relatively few
and the primary flights are very irregular in time.
In most cases, the appropriate time for the first spray is at the onset of the secondary spore flights (monitored by
spore traps).
A second good solution is to spray for the first time around flowering time or when the first lesions are found in own
CROP CARE or neighbouring fields. In general no more than two or three sprays should be given at ten day intervals.
In case early blight appears late during the growing season there is no need for control as only mild yield losses are to
be expected.
Most contact fungicides controlling late blight are effective against early blight.
If contact fungicides are preventively sprayed to control late blight, they will also control early blight reasonably well,
IRRIGATION as spraying intervals for late blight control are shorter than those for early blight.
From the old low cost fungicides are chlorothalonil, triphenyl-tin-hydroxide and the dithiocarbamates maneb and
zineb and combined formulations the most effective.
From the newer fungicides is Tanos (famoxadone, cymoxanil) very effective and Shirlan (fluazinam) less effective
than needed. Unfortunately these compounds are not effective against the fungus already penetrated in host tissues.
DISEASES/PESTS It should be noted that systemic fungicides controlling late blight do not necessarily control early blight, as is the case
with metalaxil and cymoxanil which are ineffective against the early blight fungus.
Tuber attack
Control of tuber infection is mainly through agricultural measures:
• tubers should be well suberized (mature) at lifting which makes them less prone to wounding,
• tops should be burnt or removed before harvesting,
• tubers should be handled as carefully as possible,
• lifted tubers should not be left unshielded in the field,
• infected tubers should be stored as cool as possible to limit lesion development and decay. Temperature should be
at least 63
below 10 °C.

64. INTERACTION WITH RAIN
HOME
Weather conditions and application
Dry period after treatment
PRODUCTION An indication of the effect of a dry period following treatment with a late blight
spray can be summarized in a diagram.
Depending on the weather conditions, a dry period of 1.5 - 7 hours after
application is sufficient for a good protection.
PLANTING
Dry period and blight control
FERTILIZATION Spraying of dry leaves
In case dry leaves are sprayed the chemical gives a good protection if the leaves
can dry after application.
A dry period of 1-7 hours is needed for good protection.
CROP CARE Under strong drying conditions crops are dry within one hour after spraying, while
under poor drying conditions (cloudy, high relative humidity and no wind) drying
may take 6-7 hours.
IRRIGATION Spraying of wet leaves
When wet leaves are sprayed the chemical runs of the leaves. Only some
protection can be expected under strong drying conditions.
DISEASES/PESTS
Rain after application
• small amounts of rain e.g. a light shower of < 3 mm does not wash off the product
to such an extend that the treatment is useless.
• if rain starts within 1.5 hours after spraying and showers exceed 4 mm application
can be considered as useless.
• the expectation of rain is no reason to delay spraying in case spraying capacity is
limited.
64

65. Dry period and blight control
HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
65

66. Diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes, phytoplasms
HOME The potato is affected by quite a number of diseases and pests, but only a limited number
are spread both worldwide and have a major impact on its productivity.
In the context of this programme only the diseases will be dealt with which have a major
and worldwide impact or are a threat with respect to potato production.
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
It concerns the following diseases/pests:
• Fungi
• Bacteria
IRRIGATION • Nematodes
• Insects
• Phytoplasms
DISEASES/PESTS • Virus diseases
• Weather, temperature
66

67. HOME
PRODUCTION
PLANTING
FERTILIZATION
CROP CARE
IRRIGATION
DISEASES/PESTS
THANK YOU