What are the cultivation and management techniques for spring-planted potatoes?
Spring Planting Cultivation Techniques for Potatoes. Potatoes have the characteristics of high yield, early maturity, multiple uses, and wide distribution. In recent years, the spring planting area in our region has expanded year by year.
1. Land preparation
Potatoes prefer sandy loam and loam. Deep plowing and winter irrigation can be carried out before winter, with 2500-3000 kg of organic fertilizer applied per mu, and the land leveled before sowing with sufficient bottom moisture irrigation. Through the shallow plowing and fertilizing method, 25 kg of potassium sulfate, 25 kg of diammonium phosphate, and 15 kg of urea per mu are broadcast on the surface and incorporated into the soil with a rotary tiller. When ridging, the ridge width is 60 cm, ridge height 20-25 cm, and ridge spacing 100 cm. The seed fertilizer applied in the furrows is approximately: 2.5 kg of urea, 10 kg of potassium sulfate, 10 kg of diammonium phosphate, 0.5 kg of borax, 1.5 kg of zinc sulfate, and 1.5-2.5 kg of carbofuran granules per mu.
2. Seed selection
Given the high summer temperatures in our region, the harvest period must be completed before June 20, so virus-free seed potatoes of early-maturing or extra-early-maturing types with high starch content and strong disease resistance should be selected, such as Zhongshu No. 2, Zhongshu No. 3, Zhongshu No. 4, Kexin No. 4, etc. They are harvested 50-60 days after emergence, with a planting density of 6000-6500 plants per mu, requiring 150 kg of seed potatoes per mu.
3. Sprouting
Around January 15 (25 days before sowing), take the cold-stored seed potatoes out and place them under scattered light at 15-20°C for warming and sprouting. For strong sprouts, it is required to sow whole tubers or cut pieces with sprouts 1-2 cm long. Generally, spring planting temperatures are low, so tuber rot is unlikely to occur. To save seed potatoes, the seed potatoes can be cut into pieces for planting. When cutting, note that only vertical cuts are allowed, not horizontal cuts; only use the upper buds, not the lower buds. Each kilogram of seed potatoes can be cut into 32-36 pieces, and each piece must not be less than 25 g. The cutting knife must be disinfected with alcohol. After cutting, rinse the starch on the cut surface of the tuber pieces with a 600-fold carbendazim suspension, then dry and sprout. When sprouting, the tuber pieces should be piled in 2-3 layers, shielded from light and given appropriate moisture. Generally, use apple preservation bags that can hold 15 kg. Spread 2-3 cm of wet soil on the bottom layer (soil that forms a ball when squeezed in the hand and crumbles when dropped). Fill a layer with tuber pieces, fill the gaps with wet soil and bury the seed potatoes, then place the second layer, and so on. Place three layers of seed potatoes in each bag. After covering the top with 2-3 cm of wet soil, tie the bag tightly, punch 3-5 small holes around each layer, and stand them upright indoors. Keep the room temperature at 15-20°C, and they can be planted in about 25 days.
4. Planting
When the temperature stabilizes at 5-7°C, planting can begin in our region. Generally, wide-narrow row ridging is used, with ridge spacing of 100 cm and ridge width of 60 cm. Two rows are planted per ridge, with a narrow row of 30 cm and a wide row of 70 cm, plant spacing of 20 cm, and seed potato depth of 8-10 cm. After planting, cover with plastic film. Intercropping with other crops is also possible for higher returns.
5. Field management
① Management during the seedling stage. During the germination period, keep the soil loose and breathable. Generally, do not water before emergence. When irrigation is needed, water lightly with a small amount, and loosen the soil immediately after watering. After emergence, apply topdressing early and water early, and cultivate deeply after watering. During the vine growth stage, watering should be closely combined with cultivation; do not water unless dry, and combine with shallow hilling, only loosening the soil in the furrows. When the plant height reaches 20 cm, carry out large hilling combined with watering. During the bud stage, hill up and weed, and apply appropriate topdressing according to seedling condition; for early-maturing cultivation, topdressing is generally not applied. ② Tuber formation stage and tuber enlargement stage. Keep the soil moist and loose. Water shortage should not occur during the bud stage. The first three waterings at full bloom are critical. During the tuber formation stage, prevent heavy water flooding to avoid tuber rot. ③ Harvest. Spring potato harvest should be based on market demand and carried out before high temperatures and the rainy season arrive. In our region, it is suitable to harvest in mid-June. If harvesting fresh potatoes, it can be appropriately earlier. Harvest should be done on sunny days when the soil is dry.