1. Introduction
Potatoes can be grown throughout the year in Zambia,
except when the country experiences frost (temperatures below 7˚C) which has the potential to slow down growth and kill
leaves leading to reduced yield. In Zambia frost is most likely to occur
between May and July.
2. Soil
Requirements
Potatoes can be grown on a variety of soils including
clay, sandy and even pure composites, but they perform very well in loamy sandy
soils with good drainage and good moisture retention capacity. Whichever type
of soil they are planted, it should be tilled to a fine texture to allow air
circulation and expansion of tubers.
Where possible, it is recommended that soil be disked to loosen and
allow it form a fine texture. The soil pH requirement for potatoes is in the
range 5 to 6 on the calcium chloride scale. It is recommended that soil
testing be carried out to establish the soil pH and make
corrections where necessary. Alkaline soils cause potatoes to have scales and
rough skin, a condition called scab.
3. Planting
Methods
There are two main methods of planting potatoes. These
are planting in the field and planting in sacks.
- Planting in the Field
When planting in the field, it is important to observe
the season. If it is rain season, make sure the potato plants are not submerged
in water for even an hour after a heavy downpour. To avoid this problem make
raised ridges at about 30cm high and at 80 to 100cm apart. The ridges can be
raised up further later.
- Planting in Sacks
Once you have a bag for your potatoes, fill the bottom
with a couple of inches (5cm) of soil and compost
mix and plant your seed potatoes. Fill with just enough medium to cover the
tops of the tubers. Keep the soil mix evenly moist and cover the sprouted
potato greens with compost mix as they come up. Keep them covered and unroll
the burlap as the soil level rises. Once the soil is at the top of the bag,
allow the plants to flower and die back and then dump out the contents so you
can pick through and get all the spuds. You can also harvest young spuds early
in the process. Growing potatoes in bags is a simple, no-fuss method that
yields more potatoes and causes less harvest damage.
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