Potato is also one of the most widely grown crops in India. But, lately, potato growers have been confronted with concerns such as low crop yield and also deteriorating quality. Netafim’s Precision irrigation is a modern alternative that works as the solution here! It increases yield, enhances its quality, and helps control operational costs.
To grow potatoes, you need to stay in control of a lot of diverse factors such as weather, deteriorating soil quality, water scarcity, etc. And, if these factors weren’t enough, ever-increasing operational, fertilizer and labour costs, add to challenges of potato growers in India.
Growing potato through precision irrigation involves applying the technique of Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI), which delivers nutrients and water to the crop root, in precise and specific combinations. SDI helps save almost 20% of the irrigation water, and also facilitates the required quantities of water to the crop root, thereby fostering better and higher yield. SDI also eliminates water evaporation and reduces the chances of weed growth and occurrence of diseases. One of the USPs of precision irrigation is that it works with every soil, climate, and topography. This helps maintain the right nutrient and moisture levels, regardless of the prevalent internal and external conditions.
Precision works digitally as well! Yes, there’s a digital aspect to precision irrigation that helps you monitor your farmland, seek vital insights and potato yield through remote monitoring, control, and management.
Read moreWhy should I choose precision irrigation over other, cheaper methods?
Precision irrigation will always give you higher economic returns. You’ll get consistently higher and better yields using your resources efficiently. And by delivering water and nutrients directly to plant roots, you’ll ensure healthier soil for future years. It’s a secure, long-term crop profitability model that only improves over time.
Should I use surface or subsurface drip irrigation?
Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems are most suitable for large-scale potato field operations. Compared with on-surface systems, SDIs deliver additional benefits such as lower labor requirements, protection from agro-machinery interference, and enhanced water-use efficiency.
One of the biggest advantages of SDI is that it avoids wetting the canopy, which means it significantly reduces leaf disease.
On-surface systems are best for small to medium-scale potato growers, or for use on extremely sandy soil plots. They’re also a great option for plots that are deep-tilled. But bear in mind that while they require a lower initial investment, they do carry a higher operational cost.
What if I have an uneven topography or irregularly shaped potato field?
Again, you’ll still make bigger wins by switching to precision irrigation. You can make sure of that by installing pressure-compensated (PC) dripperlines in your system, so water and nutrients are delivered to each plant with a uniform flow rate – across your entire field.
Get more details on our solutions
You’re trying to keep a delicate balance between smart risk-management and optimal crop growth. That’s the challenge of open field agriculture.
You need a solution that makes the best use of your land, time and resources, while guaranteeing consistent results in the field. A solution that’s right for your crop, soil, climate, topography, crop cycles and business model.
That’s where precision irrigation comes in.
Learn morePlant nutrition isn’t a matter of quantity – it’s a matter of efficiency. Precision fertigation delivers nutrients straight to the roots of each plant, in personalized combinations, with perfect timing. So you use fertilizer more efficiently and get the best return on your inputs. Even in cases where soil moisture is balanced and there is no need for additional irrigation, applying nutrients through your system allows you to give your crop what it needs, when it need it, to grow much higher yields.
Learn moreFind the precise answer for your crop, climate, and topography.
Every season is a race to grow higher yields with fewer resources. Browse our range of innovative products and tailor-made solutions and start optimizing your use of the land, water and fertilizer. For higher and better yields, every time.
see the rangeGet in touch, and we can talk about what your crop needs.