Why Potatoes Produce Few or No Tubers and Preventive Measures

Potato is a common vegetable grown in many regions. During the growing process, potato flowering generally means it has entered the reproductive growth stage, which is also the tuber formation stage. However, many growers find that potatoes only grow vines but produce no tubers or few tubers. What causes this? How can it be prevented? Let's take a look together.

I. Reasons why potatoes produce no tubers or few tubers

1. Temperature too high

The suitable temperature for potato tuber formation is 19-22 degrees during the day and 13-15 degrees at night. When the temperature is above 25 degrees, tubers stop growing, but stems and leaves grow vigorously. Therefore, when potatoes are planted late or suddenly encounter high temperatures, few or no tubers will form.

2. Sowing too late

Potatoes can be planted in every season, generally in spring, autumn, and winter. If high temperatures occur during the tuber formation stage, it means sowing was too late, and it is easy to encounter the rainy season and high-temperature season, which is unfavorable for tuber formation.

3. Variety

Different potato varieties have different sensitivity to light and temperature. The suitable growing time for potatoes in spring and autumn is relatively short, so when mid-to-late maturing varieties are planted at this time, no tubers will form.

4. Improper cultivation management

For example, sowing too densely, applying too much nitrogen fertilizer while phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is insufficient will cause the seedlings to grow excessively, resulting in poor air permeability, which is very unfavorable for tuber formation.

5. Drought

Potatoes are relatively sensitive to moisture. During tuber formation and growth, the soil should be kept moist. If it is too dry, tubers are difficult to form, so during the tuber formation and growth stages, irrigation should be done promptly when drought occurs.

6. Sowing too shallow

The sowing depth for potatoes is generally 15-20 cm. Sowing too shallow leads to higher soil temperature and easily causes stolons to root randomly. Therefore, during the potato growing period, hilling should be done at the right time. If hilling is too shallow, soil temperature varies greatly and the warming effect is small, which will affect tuber formation and expansion.

II. Preventive measures

1. Variety selection

Focus on selecting varieties with high yield and high individual weight, and also consider the local climate and soil conditions.

2. Proper early sowing

Winter-planted potatoes are best planted in December-January. Too early or too late is unfavorable for their market launch. Spring potatoes are best cultivated with plastic film mulching and sown in January-February.

3. Cultivation management

Reasonable sowing density and depth are recommended. Do not exceed 4000 plants per mu, and control sowing depth at about 15-20 cm. Pay attention to increasing the application of organic fertilizer and magnesium fertilizer. In the middle and late stages, apply little or no nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive plant growth that affects tuber growth.

4. Reasonable watering

During the potato growing period, keep the soil moisture appropriate. When low humidity is found, irrigate immediately, using small amounts of water frequently. During rainy weather, drain water promptly.

  The above is an introduction to the reasons why potatoes produce few or no tubers and preventive measures. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.