Potato and Tuber Crops

Soil

• Potato can be produced on a wide range of soils, ranging from sandy loam, silt loam, loam and clay soil.
• Soil for potato should be friable, well aerated, fairly deep and well supplied with organic matter.
• Well-drained sandy loam and medium loam soils are most ideal for potato cultivation.
• Light soil is preferred, because they tend to promote more uniform soil temperatures and make harvesting of the crop easier.
• Alkaline or saline soil is not suitable for potato cultivation.
• They are well suited to acidic soils (pH 5.0 to 6.5) as acidic conditions tend to limit scab diseases.
• Deep well drained alluvial soils with almost neutral reaction are the best for potato cultivation.
• This is followed by hill, black and red soils. Soil should be loose, firm and without compacted layer which hinders root penetration.
• Compacted layers also restrict drainage. Soil should be free from stones and clods for avoiding deformation of tubers.