Potato watering and its impact on yield

Potatoes have a poorly developed root system, therefore very much in need of oxygen. The best air and moisture exchange is produced in a sufficiently moist and loose soil. However, prolonged watering of potatoes leads to waterlogging and death of the root system. Therefore, when looking for a site for planting, it is better to choose light soils that for a long time retain looseness that will not swim after precipitation will have a neutral or slightly acidic reaction and contain at least 2% humus. If the soil is heavy, organic fertilizers must be added to it. And in strongly waterlogged soils, the plant is cultivated with ridges or ridges to avoid rhizoctonia and diseases that are bacterial in nature.

Watering

An equally important part of the care of the plant is its watering. How often to water potatoes to prevent it from overmoistening? After the potatoes are planted and the plant is not watered before the emergence, since during this period the root system is formed , which at a comfortable humidity is able to branch well and penetrate deep into the soil. If the land is waterlogged, the roots will be located at shallow depth, which will subsequently affect the plant's ability to extract moisture and adversely affect development. As soon as the first shoots appeared and bushes were formed, the plant begins to consume more water, however, it is not worth to overdo it with watering. The main signal for irrigation is a dried up top layer of soil up to 6 centimeters deep. It is better to carry out this procedure in the evening hours to prevent the evaporation of moisture. As soon as the withering of the lower leaves becomes noticeable, it is immediately necessary to irrigate the potatoes. In the largest amount of water the plant will need during budding and flowering. It is important to provide him with enough moisture to prevent the germination of young tubers and not dig out a vegetable the size of peas. The tops dry up also in August, during a period of drought and a shortage of rainfall. To lower the temperature of the soil, it is necessary to water the potatoes, prolonging this period of vegetation, and therefore, to increase the yield.

Watering rules

A very important question: how correctly to water potatoes? In the first watering every hundredth of the land must be provided with a water norm of about 300 liters, and in the subsequent - about 500 liters. To moisten the soil it is better to use not so cold, and so-called "summer" water, which is preheated in barrels.

You can water the potatoes only in the morning or in the evening. Irrigation of light land needs to be produced much more often than heavy ones, while avoiding the formation of a dense crust on the ground and occasionally loosening the land. During irrigation, under no circumstances can you direct a stream of water directly onto a potato bush, or it is better to use a spray gun for a hose. Do not water the plant before harvest - this can do much harm. If desired, you can drip potatoes, which significantly reduces water costs, can be combined with top dressing and maintains the necessary moisture for a long time. The use of this equipment has a very good effect on the crop, but the price of such plants is quite high.