Improving Potato Yield, Water Productivity and Nitrogen Use Efficiency by Managing Irrigation Based on Potato Root Distribution

Abstract

Potato is a typical shallow-root crop and a good understanding of its root distribution is critical in potato water management, which is especially important for potato production in areas such as Inner Mongolia where water resource is limited. We conducted field experiments to investigate the dynamic distribution of potato root in the soil, then used this as a basis to design a new irrigation method for potato production in the region; effects of the improved irrigation and conventional method were analyzed as well by measuring plant growth, yield, water productivity and nitrogen use efficiency. The results showed that large difference existed in root distribution of potato plants at different growth stages in Inner Mongolia, suggesting the present water management strategy of uniform irrigation during potato production is inefficient and has great potential for improvement. Adjusting irrigation amount so that the wet soil zone depth covered 80% of root distribution during potato growth significantly increased water productivity, decreased N leaching, improved N absorption, nitrogen use efficiency and plant growth, leading to increased tuber yield. Therefore, the improved water management method can be used extensively.

Interactive Effects of Nitrogen Application and Irrigation on Water Use, Growth and Tuber Yield of Potato under Subsurface Drip Irrigation

“…These results are similar to those of [27,35]. Lu et al [36] also reported that the 0-20 cm soil layer accounted for 62-68% of total root weight of potato under surface drip. Similar observations were observed in the second year of study (Figure 2b).…”

“…However, tuber yield in I 7 and I 3 were also mutually at par. Decreased tuber yield with the reduction in irrigation amount below 50% of water depletion and SMP near −45 kPa [33,34,36,41,42] and the highest tuber yield with 100% ET c was also reported [43]. Similar observations have also been reported in cereal [44].…”

Phosphorus Leaching During Potato Production in Coarse Soil

“…This P loss is clearly of agronomic signi cance. Although the local government advocates water saving in agriculture, over irrigation in potato production is still popular, with irrigation averaging 300 mm during potato growth, whereas a total 180 mm was recommended (Wu et al, 2022). Thus, in addition to saving water resources, optimizing water management is also necessary for improving P-use e ciency in potato production in coarse soil areas like Inner Mongolia.…”

Synergistic Effects of Soil-Based Irrigation and Manure Substitution for Partial Chemical Fertilizer on Potato Productivity and Profitability in Semiarid Northern China

“…A drip irrigation system, as one of the most effective methods, tends to improve the IWUE of potatoes grown on sandy soils [ 5 ]. However, excessive water use with a drip system is particularly problematic for conventional irrigation by farmers due to inadequate irrigation scheduling [ 6 ]. In contrast, irrigation scheduling based on the soil moisture using the drip method (soil-based irrigation) delivers appropriate water quantities at the proper timing to match crop demand and maximize water conservation [ 7 , 8 ].…”