Irish Potato Cultivation Farming
Irish potato is a major food and cash crop in high altitude areas of different countries, and is widely grown by small-scale farmers.
It is one of the most consumed produce, acting as a staple food as well as a cash crop to local people of different countries, and its production in different countries has been growing rapidly due to increased urbanization and fast food industries.
Nutritional Value
Irish potatoes are a rich source of nutrition and energy. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and essential organic compounds, which are needed by your body.
Among others, they are rich in iron, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and zinc, essential in building and maintaining bone structure and strength.
They also contains fibre, which helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood.
This is not all as they also contain Choline which helps with memory, brain development and muscle movement.
Irish potatoes also contain vitamin B6, which helps in energy metabolism by breaking down carbohydrates and protein into glucose and amino acids. They are also a good source of vitamin C.
Varieties
The common varieties of Irish potatoes are; Red and White. Red varieties require more time in storage to get damaged, unlike the white varieties, but white varieties preferred when it comes to cooking qualities.
Ecological Requirements
The Irish potato growing site should be free from pests and diseases such as bacterial wilt, blight and nematodes.
The site should have a well-drained loamy to sandy loam soils and the soil pH should range between 5.0 and 7.0 but the ideal pH should be 5.5. The site should have an average daily temperature of between 15 to 21 °C.
Irish potato do well in high altitude areas between 1,500 and 3,000 meters. They require between 400 and 800 mm of rains during the growth period.
Site selection
The selected site should match the ecological requirements given above. Among others, it should have an average daily temperature of between 15 to 21 °C and the soil should be a well-drained loamy to sandy loam soils.
To get more yield on Irish potatoes, make sure you grow your Irish potatoes in areas where the sun is mostly available as its one of its requirements to perform well.
Potato Growing
Nutrients management in potatoes
The Irish potato plant has a shallow root system; with a high demand for nutrients. It requires, macro and micronutrients, for proper growth and optimal yields.
Rotational planning
Irish potato growing should rotate after every 4 years with non-root and tuber crops, preferably cereals and legumes to break pest and disease cycle, such as carrot and improved fallow either under Crotalaria ocroleuca or Leucaena and brassicas and this will make your Irish potato to give optimal yields. In general, avoid solanaceious crops.
Land preparation
The selected site should be ploughed when soil is dry. Plough the site to appropriate tilth 45 cm- 50 cm deep. After ploughing, add manure and fertilizers to the soil in the right amounts to provide the required plant nutrients for vigorous crop growth.
Seed preparation
Irish potatoes are propagated, which means pieces from the Irish potato start new plants and does not require seedling.
Cut the Irish potato seeds 5 or 6 days before planting and keep the cut seed in a well ventilated place. You should plant a disease free seed. When possible use the certified seeds.
Planting
During planting, you place your Irish potato seed at 5 to15 cm depth and the tuber sprouts face up. A space of 75 x 30 centimeters between rows and 30-40 centimeters within rows is recommended.
One hectare of land requires 2-2.5 tons. The larger the seed size, the more the amount required.
Fertilizers
A soil test should be conducted before the application of any fertilizer to your Irish potato field.
Having done your soil testing, apply DAPP at 200 kg per acre and on acidic soil, you should apply CAN fertilizer at 120kg per acre, depending on the result of soil analysis.
Watering
For high yields, Irish potato requires a range of 850 to 1,200 mm rainfall during the growing period.
You should grow your Irish potatoes in areas having that annual rainfall range.
When applicable supply water through irrigation, but make sure, the field is not waterlogged.
Weeds Control
In your Irish potato field weed should be kept on watch, as it may result in a build up of pests and diseases. Weeding should be done 2 weeks and 5 weeks after emergence.
Avoid weeding your Irish potato field after flowering because it predisposes the crop to infections and may injure the tubers.
Major Pests In Irish potato Farming
Irish potato fields are commonly affected by potato Tuber Moth, Aphids and Root-knot. Use chemical, cultural and biological methods to eliminate these pests.
Harvesting
Irish potatoes are ready for harvesting when the top leaves start dying and its skin becomes firm.
To harvest your Irish potatoes, you dig under the plants with a hoe or a shovel and uplift it to remove the mature Irish potato tuber.
Irish potatoes are ready for harvesting in a range of 95 to 110 days from the planting day.