Water makes the difference in early potatoes

After an average of 107 growing days, the average yield on July 9th on the eight Amora plots monitored by Viaverda was 37 tons per hectare. The yield range was wide, with 17 tons at the low end and 53 tons at the high end. The four plots that were irrigated once or twice were significantly better than the unirrigated plots. The average yield for the storage plots was 46 tons per hectare with a range of 36 to 53 tons. The unirrigated plots remained at 29 tons per hectare with a range of 17 to 36 tons. The irrigated plots yielded 41 tons, or 90% of the potatoes in size 50. The unirrigated plots yielded 21 tons, or 71%.

Ripening
In the previous trial harvest, after 98 growing days, the average yield on the unirrigated plots was 28 tons, and on the irrigated plots, 41 tons. Viaverda had already observed at that time that the unirrigated plots were ripening quickly. This trial harvest confirmed this. The irrigated potatoes still grew by 600 kilos per hectare per day during the same period.

The quality of the potatoes is good. The underwater weight averages 396 grams per 5 kilos. This is in line with last time, but now there is no difference between irrigated and non-irrigated potatoes. Sugar tops and heterogeneous fries were not observed, with the exception of one. Tare percentages range between 0% and 7%. Green potatoes are the most common. In addition, a few misshapen and split potatoes were found. Rot was not detected anywhere.