Some parameters of potato growth as influenced by soil water potential and soil temperature.

Abstract

Two varieties of potato were grown and their yields related to leaf area duration (LAD) and net assimilation ratio (NAR). Kerrs Pink Yielded 25.1 t/ha of tubers with a maturation period of 10.5 weeks while Anett matured in 14.6 weeks and yielded 14.5 t/ha of tubers. The higher yield of Kerrs Pink in spite of shorter duration was due to a larger leaf area developed quickly in the life cycle. Its LAD was 4171 cm²wk-1 compared with 2531 cm²wk-1 for Anett.

The importance of quantifying environmental factors as they relate to ecological suitability for potato growing is discussed with particular reference to soil moisture and temperature.