How to Grow Autumn Potatoes? A Detailed Guide to Key Planting Techniques

Potatoes are generally planted in spring and harvested in spring, while autumn planting is less common and more difficult, with the key being to break the dormancy of the seed potatoes. However, autumn planting of potatoes can increase the multiple cropping index and boost income. Generally, fields that have grown summer vegetables, watermelons and other summer-harvested crops can be arranged for autumn potato planting. The autumn potato planting techniques are introduced as follows:

First, sow at the right time. In areas at an altitude of around 500 m, sowing from August 10 to 15 is advisable; in areas above 500 m, sowing can begin in early August; in areas below 400 m, sowing should be postponed to the end of August. Avoid solanaceous crops as the preceding crop.

Second, disinfect the seed potatoes and promote sprouting. First soak the seed potatoes in a 200-fold formaldehyde solution for 2 hours to prevent bacterial wilt. For sprouting, about 10 days before sowing, soak the seed potatoes in a 10 ppm "920" solution for 15 minutes to break the dormancy period, then nurture the seed potatoes indoors with wet mud and sand, keeping the mud and sand moist; generally uniform sprouting will occur. Sow after sprouting.

Third, plant at a reasonable density. Because autumn-planted potatoes have a growth period about 20 days shorter than spring-planted potatoes, a much lower plant height than spring planting, and low yield per plant, a reasonable dense planting is necessary, generally about 5,000 plants per mu.

Fourth, fertilizing and weeding. The growth period of autumn-planted potatoes is only about 70 days, so fertilization should focus on base fertilizer, which can include dilute human manure and urine, pig and cattle pen manure, plant ash, and compound fertilizer. After emergence, cultivate and weed, and apply nitrogen fertilizer as appropriate. After sowing and before emergence, spray 1,000-fold Henaice per mu to seal the soil against weeds.