Detailed Explanation of Autumn Potato Sowing Methods and Technical Key Points

1. Whole-tuber sowing: The sowing period for autumn potato cultivation falls in the high-temperature, rainy season of August. Cutting seed potatoes into pieces for sowing easily leads to tuber rot and dead seedlings. Using whole-tuber sowing can reduce tuber rot and dead seedlings in autumn, prevent degeneration, and increase yield.

Seed potatoes for autumn sowing should be small tubers of about 50 g that were harvested early from spring seed potatoes and carefully selected. These tubers should be undamaged, disease-free, with bright skin color and moderate size. About 200 kg of seed potatoes are needed per mu.

During autumn sowing, the seed potatoes are in a dormant state. Before sowing, they should be sprouted or soaked in a chemical solution to promote sprouting. Generally, 5 days before sowing, soak them in a 15-20 mg/L gibberellin solution for 20-30 minutes, remove them, and bury them in wet sand to promote sprouting. Sow when the sprouts reach 1-2 cm in length.

Sowing potatoes too early in autumn brings high temperatures, which easily causes seed rot and severe viral disease. Too late, the growth period is insufficient and yield is low. In North China, sowing should generally be done from August 5 to 15.

2. Sowing method: Autumn potato sowing is generally different from spring potato sowing. Because autumn potato sowing takes place in a season of high temperature and strong light, to create a cooler environment, sowing should be done on shady slopes to facilitate early and uniform emergence. Sowing should be carried out before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m. Open furrows, sow, and cover with soil as you proceed. Generally, row spacing is 60 cm and plant spacing is 25 cm.