An experiment was conducted under tropical conditions in Guam to determine the influence of supplemental irrigation on plant development and tuber yield of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Red Pontiac). Three levels of trickle irrigation were compared with nonirrigated plots. Soil moisture levels of irrigated plots were maintained at soil tensions of 10, 40, and 70 kPa. Frequent irrigation promoted rapid canopy development. In contrast, canopy development of nonirrigated plants was reduced. Supplemental irrigation did not influence the date of tuber initiation. The heavily irrigated plots had reduced yields primarily due to outbreak of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and soft rot bacteria (Erwinia spp.).
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.