Desirèe

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Solanaceae

Order

Solanales

Genus

Solanum

Species

tuberosum

Description

Today, the potato plant is one of the main cultivated species worldwide thanks to its starch-rich edible tubers, varying in size and colour according to variety, which are widely used in the food industry. With its compact growth and bushy habit, it is easy to grow, preferring full sun exposures in well-draining soils with a warm temperate climate; with suitable irrigation and fertilisation to meet requirements throughout the entire growing cycle, it will guarantee excellent productive results.

Variety description

It is an easy-to-cultivate and globally important plant. It adapts to different areas, although it is essential to remember that it needs full sun positions in order to produce a significant quantity of tubers. Pay attention to some basic cultivation care, such as tamping, and carry out the various fertilisation and irrigation operations. The variety under consideration is very productive and for this reason is widely used among growers; medium vigour and resistant to various diseases. It has a reddish, smooth skin and the flesh tends to be yellow. The final amount of starch present inside is closely related to the type of cultivation. Flowering is characterised by corymb-shaped inflorescences with characteristic white flowers.

Curiosities and special features

The potato plant is the world's most important non-cereal crop whose tubers, of the many varieties available today, are one of the most widely consumed foods and are used in a wide range of culinary recipes, including as a bread substitute; boiled, fried, baked and ground to make starch or as a thickener for sauces, they are rich in starch, protein, vitamin C, thiamine and niacin.

Take care not to use unripe or sprouted tubers.

Origin and distribution

A species native to Central and South America, particularly Bolivia, Chile, Mexico and Peru; according to some research, it was domesticated in Peruvian territorial areas adjacent to Lake Titicaca and then became an important source of nutrition for the Inca population. The first potato plants were introduced to Europe towards the end of the 16th century by the Spanish conquistadors; at first not well accepted due to the strangeness of their tubers, they became in the 18th century one of the main foods for the humble class as an alternative to cereals such as wheat to cope with the increase in the European population at the time.

Today, the species, available in a wide assortment of varieties, is the world's most cultivated crop after wheat, maize and rice.

Leaf

The leaves have pinnate-compound laminae.

Fruit

The tuber has an oval shape and contains no seeds, characterised as a solid part with a uniform colouring. The weight reaches G, while the skin is not edible. Ripening takes place from early summer to late summer. From a sensory point of view, the tuber is not fragrant, but offers a delicate taste with a characteristic flavour and delicate aroma. In terms of quality, it is characterised by a good shelf life, representing a variety with intermediate organoleptic characteristics.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence corymb.

Leaf colour

Homogeneous colour tone.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.5 to 0.8 m.

Lifespan

Perennial plant with an annual crop cycle.

Where to plant

The potato plant is commonly grown in beds, open fields

Stem

The stem is herbaceous, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The petals are single-coloured. They are arranged in small to medium-sized corymbal inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to early summer. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

The variety develops a compact and well-branched growth.

Plant habit

The habit is bushy.

Branching

Variety with abundant branching.

PH

The pH, an index of the acidity level of the soil, is of major importance for the correct overall development of the plant, in particular values between 6.0 and 6.5 represent the optimal range for the potato during the growing cycle.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting at the beginning of spring, it is advisable to carry out a deep digging, approximately 20/30 cm deep, eliminating any weeds, bulky stones and residues of previous crops, then carry out a basic fertilisation with organic or chemical fertiliser and, with the help of a hoe, break up the most compact and coarse clods to also improve the distribution of the fertiliser. In order to obtain proper drainage of excess water, thus avoiding harmful water stagnation, continue by creating a raised flowerbed by slightly bouldering the soil, and finally carefully level the surface with a rake.

During the cultivation cycle, periodically and promptly eliminate possible weeds located inside the cultivation plant; also tamp the soil when the plant is at the second or third leaf stage and, if necessary, after about 30 days carry out a second tamping.

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Sun exposure

To obtain abundant tuber production, expose the plant to full sun and support it with appropriate irrigation.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 20 °C.

Use

Since antiquity, the potato plant has been cultivated for use
Agribusiness

Hardiness

The variety has a medium to high hardiness adapting to different growing areas as long as it is exposed to full sun and well watered.

Soil

The ideal soil for potato cultivation is medium-textured, with organic matter and good drainage.

Difficulty

Easy-to-grow variety with an overall low level of management effort. Ensure appropriate tamping as well as fertilisation and irrigation in proportion to the needs of the plant.

Growing tips

We suggest below some specific cultivation practices aimed at obtaining the best final production results:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Planting

For transplanting, preferably on raised beds, an average density of 6 plants per square metre is recommended in order to ensure proper development of each individual specimen with subsequent abundant tuber production; it is suggested to irrigate immediately after planting and to carry out timely weed control so that weeds do not compete for water and nutrients.

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Pruning

Harvest and clean the tubers from early summer to early autumn depending on the variety cultivated.

Propagation

Multiplication is by the agamic route using tubers.

Watering

The potato has medium to high water requirements and is sensitive to water stress; it is advisable to pay attention to irrigation especially in late spring and during the first part of the summer period as these phases are fundamental for the tuber formation and swelling process. Use rainwater, or alternatively canal or aqueduct water with an optimal sub-acid pH, either by hand or using a drip-wing irrigation system, sub-irrigation or furrow irrigation, i.e. distributing the water in channels made between the rows. During transplanting, assist the plant that may be more exposed to water stress in the new site, avoiding dry strikes and maintaining constant soil moisture without exceeding the quantities applied and preventing water stagnation. Afterwards, allow the soil to dry slightly between one watering and the next, keeping it slightly moist but not saturated; it is also advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant during the late afternoon/evening to prevent the spread of phytopathologies.

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Fertilising

When preparing the soil, carry out basic fertilisation by burying organic-mineral fertiliser to be distributed evenly.

Then carry out fertirrigation by adding a specific water-soluble fertiliser for horticultural plants to the soil, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to dosages and frequencies that meet the plant's needs. In the growth phase, it is advisable to carry out balanced fertilisation to favour the tuberisation process.

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Pet safety

Do not feed green tubers with sprouts and skin as well as raw tubers; consider the specific case.

Edibility for humans

The tuber of the plant, if ripe and well preserved, is edible.

Toxicity for humans

The green parts of the potato plant such as its green-skinned and sprouted tubers, stems, leaves and berries should not be ingested because they contain solanine and may be toxic to humans.

Tip

It is a plant with good resistance to downy mildew (Phytophthora infestans), one of the main potato diseases. It also possesses good dormancy, which results in a long shelf life of the edible part over a long period of time.