Detailed Explanation of Key Points of Spring Potato Cultivation Techniques

Potatoes have the characteristics of high yield, early maturity, multiple uses and wide distribution, and in recent years the spring planting area in our region has been expanding year by year.

1. Land preparation. Potatoes prefer sandy loam and loam. Deep plowing and winter watering 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 water. 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 worked into the soil with a rotary tiller. When ridging, the ridge width is 60 cm, the ridge height is 20-25 cm, and the ridge spacing is 100 cm. The amount of seed fertilizer applied in the furrow is about: 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. According to the characteristics of high summer temperatures in our region, the harvest period must be before June 20, so virus-free seed potatoes of the early-maturing or extra-early-maturing type 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., which are harvested 50-60 days after emergence. The planting density is 6000-6500 plants per mu, and 150 kg of seed potatoes need to be prepared 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 sprouting, it is required to sow whole tubers or cut pieces with sprouts 1-2 cm long. Generally, spring sowing temperatures are low, so seed rot is not likely to occur. To save seed potatoes, the seed potatoes can be cut into pieces for planting. When cutting, note that only vertical cutting is allowed, not horizontal cutting, and only the upper buds are used, 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 should be disinfected with alcohol. After cutting, rinse the starch on the cut surface of the tuber pieces with a 600-fold carbendazim suspension, and after drying, sprout them. When sprouting, the tuber pieces should be stacked in 2-3 layers, with shading and appropriate moisture. Generally, use an apple fresh-keeping bag that can hold 15 kg, spread 2-3 cm of wet soil on the bottom layer (holding it in the hand forms a ball, and it 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, cover the top with 2-3 cm of wet soil, then tie the bag mouth tightly, make 3-5 small holes around each layer, and stand them 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 be carried out in our region. Generally, wide and narrow row ridges are used, with a ridge spacing of 100 cm and a ridge width of 60 cm. Two rows are planted on one ridge, with a narrow row of 30 cm, a wide row of 70 cm, a plant spacing of 20 cm, and a seed potato depth of 8-10 cm. After planting, cover with plastic film. It can also be intercropped with other crops for higher benefits.

5. Field management. ① Management during the seedling stage. During the germination period, the soil should always be kept 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 branching 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 and weed, and apply topdressing appropriately according to the seedling condition. For early-maturing cultivation, topdressing is generally not applied. ② Tuber setting stage and tuber bulking stage. Keep the soil moist and loose. Water shortage should not occur during the bud stage, and the first three waterings during the full flowering stage are key. During the tuber setting stage, prevent large-volume flooding irrigation to prevent 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. Harvesting should be carried out on sunny days when the soil is dry.