PHENOLOGICAL CROP CALENDAR
Table SI07 - Phenological crop calendar for potato
AGRICULTURE PRACTICES CALENDAR
Pre-winter ploughing normally occurs. In spring, field has to be levelled and/or treated with cultivator. After this step NPK fertilising has to be done followed by cultivation with disk harrow due to preferable aerated conditions in potato cultivation. Use of adequate herbicide before and after planting is quite common. Ridging took place 30 to 40 days after planting. Prior to harvest defoliation took place. Harvest is done by combine harvesters at market-oriented farms.
IRRIGATION PRACTICES
There is no regular irrigation during late potato production. Some farmers use very intensive cultivation technology like textile cover, mulch and irrigation in earlier production. They use drip and sprinkler irrigation technology.
PEST AND DISEASE RISK
The major pests in potato are Leptinotarsa decimlineata and wireworms - Elateridea that threaten almost all growth period. The most dangerous fungi disease is Phytophtora infestans that could cause very severe damage in particular years.
CROP ROTATION
It is not recommended to cultivated potato year by year on the same field although in some cases could not be observed a major decline of yield. It is recommended to cultivate potato on the same location every fourth year and not to follow maize cultivation.
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