Abstract
High-yielding potato crops in Canterbury have achieved 90 t ha−1or more. However, soil-borne diseases and poor soil structure are primary factors responsible for reducing this potential to an average of 55 t ha−1. The interaction between these factors was measured by growing the cultivars ‘Russet Burbank’ and ‘Innovator’ in 15 fields, grouped into four categories related to cropping history that influences soil health: soil-restorative (>7 years of grass) and non-restorative (>6 annual crops) with presence or absence of potato crops in the previous 10 years. Although predominantly grass histories with previous potato crops showed greater severity of soil-borne diseases than annual crop history without previous potatoes, this did not lead to yield losses. Improved soil quality increased yields by an average 10 t ha−1 regardless of disease pressure. Modelling suggested that early planting, maintaining crop canopies and managing water supply were also key factors for achieving high potato yields.
Resumen
Los cultivos de papa de alto rendimiento en Canterbury han alcanzado las 90 t ha−1 o mas. No obstante, las enfermedades del suelo y la estructura pobre del suelo son los factores primarios responsables de la reducción de este potencial a un promedio de 55 t ha−1. Se midió la interacción entre estos factores mediante el cultivo de las variedades “Russet Burbank” e “Innovator” en 15 campos, agrupados en cuatro categorías relacionadas a la historia del cultivo que influencia la salud del suelo: restauración del suelo (>7 años de pasto) y no restauración (>6 cultivos anuales) con la presencia o ausencia de cultivos de papa en los 10 años previos. Aunque las historias del pasto predominante con cultivo de papa previo mostraron mayor severidad de las enfermedades del suelo que la historia de cultivos anuales sin papa previa, esto no condujo a pérdidas de rendimiento. El mejoramiento de la calidad del suelo aumentó los rendimientos en un promedio de 10 t ha−1independientemente de la presión de enfermedades. El modelado sugirió que la siembra temprana, el mantenimiento del follaje y el manejo del suministro de agua, también fueron factores clave para lograr altos rendimientos de papa.
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Acknowledgements
This research was carried out by The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, on behalf of the Foundation for Arable Research, the Sustainable Farming Fund (Ministry for Primary Industries) and Potatoes New Zealand. The participating growers are gratefully acknowledged for providing land, assisting with planting, field experiment maintenance and harvest. The New Zealand potato industry provided seed potatoes, access to seed tuber treatment equipment, and facilities for transport of harvested potatoes.
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Sinton, S.M., Dellow, S.J., Jamieson, P.D. et al. Cropping History Affects Potato Yields in Canterbury, New Zealand. Am. J. Potato Res. 97, 202–213 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-020-09767-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-020-09767-3