Agro-Meteorological Information Systems Development Project
Department of Agricultural Extension
Crop Weather Information
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Potato
Potato is a crop grown in temperate climate. The optimum planting time temperature needs to be around 18-200c. Too high temperature damages the tubers and too low temperature damages sprouting.
For tuber formation and development lower temperatures are desirable. A decrease in the tuber formation and production at a constant temperature above 250c and complete inhibition at 290c is observed
Plants are damaged even by a mild frost. The optimum soil temperature for the crop varies for different growth stages of the crop but 15-18°C soil temperature is favorable for potato growth. temperature and sunshine hour (At least 6-9 ) are important for potato production
The water requirement of the crop is not very high. for early varieties, a well distributed rainfall of around 400 to 600 mm is sufficient for its vegetative period.
Heavy rains, alternating with dry and wet spells are harmful. the optimum soil moisture for the crop is 65-80% of the field capacity. the crop is moderately sensitive to salinity.