Cost-effectiveness of sprinkler irrigation of chosen early cultivars of potato grown on very light soil in Central Poland

English. The present paper concerns the results of long-term experiments on overhead irrigation of chosen medium early potato cultivars, carried out on a very light soil in the vicinity of Bydgoszcz (Central Poland). This region of Poland is recognized as the area of the lowest precipitation and the highest water deficits during the vegetation period. The investigation confirmed that the use of sprinkler irrigation under such soil-climatic conditions contributed to a very high multiyear productivity, which ranged from 43 to 191 %, depending on the cultivar. Increases in potato tuber yields caused by sprinkler irrigation were inversely proportional to rainfall during the vegetation period. The highest yield increases were obtained in dry years, whereas the lowest increases in the yields were noted in wet years. To estimate the economic efficiency of sprinkler irrigation the method of calculation of the increase in direct surplus was used. Economic results of sprinkler irrigation are dependent on the value of produce increase and assumed sprinkler irrigation costs. Total annual cost of sprinkler irrigation per 1 ha decreased with the increase of irrigated area. The highest values of the direct surplus were obtained for the cultivar Albina. The most profitable was sprinkler irrigation of potato in dry years.

English. potato, cost-effectiveness, irrigation, very light soil

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1864-1869