Response of Solanum potatoes to mulching during different seasons in an isohyperthermic environment in the Philippines
1986
Zaag, P. van der | Demagante, A. | Acasio, R. | Domingo, A. | Hagerman, H. (International Potato Centre, Los Banos, Laguna (Philippines))
Rice straw, rice hulls and sugar cane bagasse were compared with no mulch on the potato cvs. Cosima, Desiree and Red Pontiac. All mulches reduced the daily maximum soil temperature by 2-4 degrees C depending on the season and phase of crop production resulting in faster emergence and canopy development, earlier tuber initiation and significantly higher (P = 0.05) tuber yields. With mulch, yields were increased by at least 50 % in the hottest seasons, Jan.-Apr. and Jun.-Sept. to over 20 t/ha. Yield improvements were smaller during the cooler months. Older seed gave faster early growth but loss in tuber weight with respiration at high temperatures
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