Effect of mulch and irrigation on tuber size, canopy temperature, water use and yield of potato (Solonum tuberosum)

A field experiment was conducted during 3 spring seasons (February-June) for 1995-97 on sandy-loam soil, to study the effect of irrigation levels in conjunction with pine-needle mulch on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Pine needle mulch increased the tuber yield by 35% over no mulch. The yield increased significantly up to IW:CPE 1.50, except during 1997, which received a good rainfall (236.3 mm). The mean effect of mulch was equivalent to 1 irrigation (5 cm) in terms of potato yield advantage. Mulch and irrigation treatments produced more large size (>50 mm) tubers compared to no mulch and rainfed treatment respectively. The water-use efficiency (WUE) was more (39.9%) with mulch over no mulch. All irrigation treatments had more WUE than rainfed (678 kg/ha-cm), being the maximum with stolonization stage irrigation treatment (830 kg/ha-cm). The canopy temperature was 25 +/- 2.5degreesC in IW:CPE 1.50, which recorded the highest tuber yield.