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Sustainable soil management for potatoes

chapter
posted on 2023-05-22, 18:02 authored by Cotching, W, Sparrow, LA
This chapter discusses recent work that has assessed soil organic matter decline, soil structure degradation and erosion which are the major factors that impact the sustainable use of soils for potato production in Tasmania, Australia. Soil organic carbon (SOC) has declined by approximately 30% over the past 25 years. Soil compaction has resulted in increased cloddiness, reduced infiltration resulting in increased runoff and soil erosion, reduced trafficability and increased soil strength. Potato tuber yield at paddock scale was found to be significantly correlated with a visual assessment of structure and with penetration resistance. Crop yield decreased and prior soil loss increased with increasing slope. Potato growers in Tasmania are using fewer tillage passes than 5 or 10 years ago to prepare their soil prior to planting. Recommended best practices to prevent further degradation of soil structure and decline in organic carbon content are presented.

History

Publication title

Sustainable potato production: Global case studies

Editors

Z He, R Larkin, W Honeycutt

Pagination

281-294

ISBN

978-940074104-1

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Publisher

Springer

Place of publication

Germany

Extent

30

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Field grown vegetable crops

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    University Of Tasmania

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