By: Courtney Whitacre Potato Production and Precision
Agriculture
Slide 2
What we discuss History of Potatoes Types of Potatoes
Cultivation Planting Fertilization Diseases Insects Harvesting
Storage Benefits of Precision Agriculture
Slide 3
History of Potatoes Cool-season crop, requiring at least 180
frost free days Require fertile, well-drained, sandy-loam soils
Grown in 36 states: Most profitable are Idaho, Washington, and
Wisconsin** Although Oklahoma does not grow a large amount of
potatoes they do grow some in the panhandle.
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Types of Potatoes Red Skinned Viking White Skin Kennedec
Superior Russet Norgold Burbank
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Cultivation The soil should be loose, friable (which improves
soil tuber set and development of smooth, well-shaped and even
colored potatoes) The only reason to be in the field should be to
maintain weeds, keep soil hilled-up and aid in water penetration
and soil aeration.
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Planting Planting usually starts in late April and ends in
September. The soil should be about 45 degress Rows are usually 36
inches part and 4 inches deep** It is very important the seed is
placed properly to insure optimal tuber set. The planter also needs
to be cleaned and disinfected periodically to decrease disease
potential.
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Fertilizer Application Rather than soil sampling petal samples
are taken (Leaf samples) pH can be as low as 5.0 Heavy amounts of
nitrogen are necessary Plants uptake about 200-240 lbs during tuber
bulking stage Once the potato vines get to full bloom the
fertilizer must be distributed through the irrigation pivots or
sprinklers Nutrient uptake usually is slow during the early growth
stages, but increase rapidly as the tubers bulk in size, then slow
again during plant maturity.
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Disease Most common-Early Blight Verticillium wilt Common Scab
Black leg Root Knot Nematode Most of the diseases can be managed by
crop rotation and checking the crop often for early diagnoses.
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Insects Colorado Potato Beetle- attacks young foliage causeing
defoliation Cutworms- Feed on the seed tubers Flea beetles- Feed on
the leaves and quickly cause defoliation Leaf Hoppers- Feed on
underside of leaves and with toxic saliva cause leaf spotting
Blister Beetles- Feed on the tips of plants causing leaf ragging
Green Peach Aphid- cause high damage by removing sap Wireworms-
hard slender bodies that feed on tuber seeds and underground stems
during the spring
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Insects Cont. In order to reduce insect resistance it is
important to keep good records of insect populations and
insecticide application Rotate insecticides used Use insecticides
at labeled rate Use some of the new insecticidal chemistries
Scouting and make insecticide applications only when needed Its
very important to identify each insect and control it at each life
stage.
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Harvesting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DFTmi8SZZc Before
the harvester goes in the vines are usually dead and sometimes they
can be cut off to make it easier for the harvester. The harvester
digs and loads the potatoes onto trucks for transport to where the
tubers are washed, graded, and sized for bulk marketing. It is very
important that the tubers are handled carefully in order to
minimize bruising, rots, cracks, and skinning.
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Slide 13
Storage Tubers are living, respiring, biologically active
organisms that require proper storing to preserve the same quality
as harvested. A proper storage facility has a lateral wall that can
support that weight of a pile A good insulation and moisture
barrier Air circulation system Equipment to supply moisture if
needed Sensors and controllers to allow maintance while no one is
present.
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Precision Agriculture One item that could be very beneficial
would be a tractor that not only cut the tubers to proper and
symmetrical shape, but then planted them. This would cut back on
handling which would lower the level of disease. By making it one
solid motion from cutting to planting the seeds have a better
chance of optimal germination and fight against diseases that are
active in the soil. With the GPS available it is necessary for the
grower to drive the field before planting and take accurate
nutrient measurements and apply appropriate amounts where
needed.