Everything you need to know about watering potatoes

On average, to obtain 1 gram of dry matter, a bush needs 400-600 grams of water. The plant uses 60-70 liters of water per season. Watering potatoes is necessary if there is not enough moisture from natural precipitation. We will look at how to properly organize the entire process.

1. Time. On hot days, the best time for watering is from 5 to 7 in the morning, when the air temperature is still low, and the water in the barrel has not had time to get very hot. It is desirable that the temperature of the irrigation water is approximately equal to the temperature of the soil. In cloudy weather, you can water the potatoes in the evening before sunset. In no case should you add water in the middle of the day, otherwise the tops will “burn” in the sun.

2. Frequency. Depends on climatic conditions, soil type, potato variety and rainfall. On average, potatoes are watered every 7-10 days. In warm regions with occasional rainfall or drought, it is best to do this every 4-5 days.

The feasibility of watering can be determined by the condition of the plants. Due to the lack of moisture, the foliage loses its elasticity and withers. Timely measures taken will save the harvest, the tubers will not suffer, and the tops will be rejuvenated.

With a sufficient amount of precipitation (the ground is wet by more than half a meter), they are limited to only three waterings of potatoes per season:

  • The first is immediately after the emergence of shoots, when the tops are intensively using water for growth (approximately in May).
  • The second – when the first buds appear, so that there is enough moisture for normal flowering (late May or early June).
  • The third – after flowering for the formation of tubers (July-August).

A couple of days after watering, you need to loosen the soil or huddle the potatoes so that a crust does not appear on the surface, and the tubers have access to air.

3. The amount of water. Depends on the nature of the soil and its ability to absorb moisture. When watering potatoes, you need to soak the entire fertile layer (40-50 cm), on average, this requires 45-50 liters of water per square meter. A smaller amount will not give the expected result, a larger amount will lead to waterlogging of the soil, which is fraught with the development of certain diseases, for example, phytophthora.

4. Irrigation technique. Three methods are suitable for potatoes: sprinkler irrigation, furrow irrigation, and drip irrigation. When sprinkling, the stream of water should be fine and should not wash out the root system. This is the most unsuitable method, when using it, potatoes often suffer from fungal diseases.

Furrow irrigation is devoid of this drawback, but it leads to the compaction of the upper ball of soil. As a result, air access to the tubers is hampered.

watering potatoes along the grooves photoFurrow irrigation technique

Drip irrigation of potatoes

The best option, but requires implementation costs. With drip irrigation, water is supplied in a thin stream or in drops, wets the root system, leaving the soil dry and loose with normal ventilation.

photo of a factory drip irrigation system for potatoesFactory option

To build a homemade drip irrigation system you will need:

  • a barrel with a volume of 160-200 liters;
  • valve for water supply;
  • rigid plastic pipe with a diameter of 25 mm;
  • flexible hose with a diameter of 28 mm.

The barrel is installed on a dais, making special supports. A valve is mounted on the bottom, and a water volume scale is applied to the side surface. Then holes 2-3 mm in diameter are made in the plastic tube at a distance of 20 cm from each other. One of the ends of the tube is plugged with a stopper. The plastic pipe and valve are connected with a flexible hose.

Irrigation technology:

1. The plastic pipe is placed in the aisle of the potato.

2. Water is supplied from the barrel, which flows to the root system through the holes.

3. After watering one aisle, the water is shut off and the barrel is transferred to another.

The water pressure is controlled by the height of the barrel. Tubes sometimes become clogged during watering, they are periodically cleaned.

You can bookmark this page

Anna Evans

Author-editor

View all posts by Anna Evans →