Detailed Explanation of Key Spring Potato Management Techniques

Breaking the Film to Expose Seedlings A After potato seedlings emerge and turn green, promptly break the film to expose the seedlings to prevent high temperatures from scorching the young plants. When cutting the film, do not injure the seedlings, and the opening in the film should not be large, generally 3-5 cm. Cutting the film is best done in the morning. After exposing the seedlings, promptly seal the openings to help retain heat.

Early Fertilization After potato seedlings emerge, if there is drought, apply 1000-1500 kg of high-quality manure to achieve both drought resistance and nutrient supplementation. If soil moisture is good, apply 10-15 kg of urea in holes. When seedlings grow to 50 cm, apply 15 kg of urea per mu in holes. For the first hole application, dig holes between four potato plants to apply the fertilizer; for the second hole application, apply between two potato planting holes to improve fertilizer use efficiency.

Early Watering In early spring, when the weather is dry, after all seedlings have emerged, if there are cracks along the edges of the beds, water promptly. Water until most of the furrow is filled and drain when the bed surface is moist. Especially when potatoes are bulking, the field soil should always remain moist. If rainy weather occurs, promptly clear the furrows and trenches so that the field dries once the rain stops.