ROLE OF PERLITE QUANTITY AND INTERVALS OF IRRIGATION ON POTATOES (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L.) GROWN IN GYPSIFEROUS SOIL

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in Anbar province during spring in gypsiferous soil to determine the effects of Perlite levels (PL), quantity, and intervals of irrigation (IQ & IT) on the growth and yield of potatoes. PLs were 0, 4, and 8% depending on soil volume to 30cm depth. IQ levels were, 100 and 50 % of NDI (net depth of irrigation) with two ITs 3 and 6 days. A split-split block design was used within Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replicates. Potatoes were cultivated. Irrigation was scheduled depending on the evaporation pan class A. The studied traits were plant height (PLH), plant dry weight (PLDW), plant leaf area (PLA), main aerial stem number (MASN), and total yield (YT). The highest value of PLH was 67.17 cm for 8% PL, 3 days ITs, and 100% (NDI) depth. For the same PL (8%) with 6 days ITs and 50% of NDI the plant dry weight (PLDW) was decreased by 15.69% compared to 3 days IT and 100% of NDI. The highest YT of 29 tons. ha-1 was achieved at IT of 3 days and a level of 100% of NDI compared to 19.5 tons. ha-1 at irrigation every 6 days IT and 50% of NDI.