Optimize of emergence speed and productivity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) by using different cover treatments

Abstract

Abstract This study was conducted at Tikrit University, Iraq during the spring season of 2019 to investigate the effect of different cover treatments 1. Plastic cover for 45 days from planting. 2. Plastic cover for 45 days from planting, then cover with saran only 45 days before harvest. 3. Cover with saran only for 45 days before harvesting. 4. Control treatment (without cover) on speed emergence, growth and yield of two potato cultivars (Montreal an Laperla). The obtained data indicated that the highest values for tuber length, tuber weight and tuber hardness were achieved for Laperla. However, Plastic cover gave significantly increment in speed emergence and plant height reach up 37% and 33%, respectively. Whereas, Saran cover showed significantly increment in total yield and percentage of marketable yield reach up 15.57% and 11.60%, respectively. In a view of the interactions between cultivars and the other treatments, saran interacted with Laperla reflected the highest increment in total yield per hectare was 31%, compared to interaction treatment between same cultivar but without cover. In general, results declared that using saran treatment in top side only, during formation of tuber, for Laperla cultivar led to the highest productivity of potato.