Potato Irrigation Management

Potato yield and quality are sensitive to both excess and deficit soil water. This sensitivity, coupled with a relatively shallow root zone and medium- to coarse -textured soils common in many production areas, makes economically efficient irrigated potato production challenging. Potato is grown under all types of irrigation systems worldwide, but irrigation systems capable of light, frequent, uniform water application are best. Optimum potato irrigation management requires a working knowledge of soil water relations and irrigation system characteristics. This chapter introduces both in the context of potato production in arid areas of the Pacific Northwest U.S. General guidelines and irrigation management aids are presented along with examples for implementing quantitative irrigation management of potato in an arid environment