Detailed Explanation of the Double-Ridge, High-Moisture, High-Yield Cultivation Technique for Potatoes

The main feature of the double-ridge, high-moisture potato cultivation method is the optimized integration of good seed, good methods and a good growing environment. Its core technique is the "six changes": first, changing from the use of multiple, inferior and mixed varieties to the use of leading improved varieties; second, changing from intercropping corn with potatoes to growing potatoes alone; third, changing from the "starry sky" planting method to double-ridge, high-moisture cultivation; fourth, changing from one intertillage and ridging to two or three intertillages and hillings; fifth, changing from one-sided application of nitrogen fertilizer to balanced fertilization based on soil testing and formula (mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizers); sixth, changing from rough field management to fine management (with the focus on timely irrigation, pest and disease control, and topping and flower removal). Potatoes grown with double-ridge, high-moisture cultivation are deeply loved by the vast number of farmers because they are disease-free, give large yield increases, have good tuber shape and a high marketable rate.

1. Plot selection: choose a plot with a deep plough layer, loose soil, good light, convenient drainage and irrigation, and medium or above-medium fertility. It should not be continuously cropped with Solanaceae crops, so as to avoid cross-infection of diseases.

2. Fine land preparation: the land for planting potatoes should be deeply ploughed and finely harrowed before winter, with the clods finely broken up, so that the soil is loose and its capacity to store water and retain fertilizer is improved.

3. Reasonable close planting: according to the characteristics of the variety and soil fertility, a sowing width of 1.2-1.3 m is generally used, that is, large rows of 0.8 m, small rows of 0.4 m, and a hole spacing of 0.3 m, sowing 3000-3500 holes per mu. Sowing requires depth, straightness and evenness, that is, deep ploughing, deep planting and deep covering with soil; the sowing depth is about 25 cm, and when sowing, the main sprout part of the seed potato should face the plough pan.

4. Scientific fertilization: apply enough base fertilizer at one time. The base fertilizer is mainly farmyard manure and special potato fertilizer, applying 1500-2500 kg of farmyard manure per mu, and 60-80 kg of fertilizer based on soil testing and formula or special potato fertilizer.

5. Strengthen intertillage management: in double-ridge, high-moisture cultivation, intertillage management is the key. After the potatoes emerge, weeds should be removed in time. About one month after emergence, carry out the first intertillage, weeding and hilling, moving part of the soil from the empty rows onto the potato rows; after an interval of about one month, carry out the second intertillage, weeding and hilling, moving as much of the soil from the empty rows onto the potato planting rows as possible, so that the moisture height reaches 0.2-0.3 m, forming ridges on the moisture surface and furrows in the empty rows; in this way, irrigation is facilitated during spring drought, and drainage is facilitated when rainfall is concentrated in summer. Generally, 2-3 intertillages and ridgings are carried out, truly achieving deep planting and deep covering, thereby ensuring the nutrients and water needed for potato growth, and burying all potato stolons deep in the soil, so as to increase tuber setting and raise yield.

6. Flower removal and bud removal: for varieties that set berries strongly, after the potatoes bud, the flower buds should be removed in time, so as to avoid nutrient consumption caused by flowering and fruiting, and ensure the nutrient supply to the tubers.

7. Disease control: the biggest disease harming potatoes is late blight, which can be controlled with chemicals. Use metalaxyl mancozeb or Ridomil at 400-600 times dilution, using 100 g of pesticide per mu each time, mixed with 50 kg of water for field spraying. The first application is at the budding stage of the potato, and the second application is 15-18 days later. Pesticides should be used alternately to avoid developing resistance.

8. Timely harvest: after the potatoes mature, they should be harvested in time, so as to avoid unnecessary losses caused by underground pests and flooding. Small spring potatoes are generally harvested in April-May, large spring potatoes in August-September, and autumn potatoes in December. Vegetable potatoes can also be harvested at the appropriate time according to market conditions and tuber size. During harvest, try to avoid mechanical damage, remove diseased, rotten, damaged and deformed potatoes, prevent the tubers from being rained on or exposed to the sun for a long time, and promptly grade, package and sell or store them.