Cultivation of Potato on Abiotic Stress-Affected Soils of India

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the third most important food crop in the world after rice and wheat. It is relatively sensitive to abiotic stress of excessive salt content in the soil. However, comparatively little work has been done with respect to abiotic stress of soil salinity on potato. Scientific evidences show that electrical conductivity (EC) above threshold levels can reduce potato tuber yield. EC of 2.5, 3.8 and 5.9 dS/m of soil-saturated paste extract may reduce potato yield by 10%, 25% and 50% respectively. Studies indicate little reduction in total tuber yields over high pH range, but the incidence and severity of scab lesions decline as the pH increases above 8.5 and marketable yields after grade-out to scab are the highest at pH 9.0. The economics of this type of pH change and its impact on subsequent crops need to be considered. In addition, high exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) in ischolar_main zone may have toxicity symptoms in potato crop.