Effect of Mint, Potato and Other Previous Rotational Crops on Potato Yields in the Columbia Basin of Oregon

摘要

The effect of immediate previous rotational crops (alfalfa, corn, mint, onion and wheat) on total yields of five potato cultivars (Alturas, Premier Russet, Ranger Russet, Russet Burbank, and Umatilla Russet) in the Columbia Basin of Oregon was investigated using 9 years of data from a commercial farm. Yields from 336 potato crops grown in 171 fields between 2004 and 2012 were subjected to analysis of variance. The effect of the previous rotational crop was not significant (P = 0.20) but a significant effect of cultivar (P 0.0001) on yield was observed, with Alturas (89 +/- 9 t ha(-1)) and Premier Russet (87 +/- 7 t ha(-1)) exhibiting significantly higher yields than Russet Burbank (70 +/- 6 t ha(-1)). The effects of the number of potato crops in the field history and the number of years rotated out of potato varied among cultivars. The effects of field and year were significant (P a parts per thousand currency signaEuro parts per thousand 0.05). These results suggest that factors such as cultivar, field characteristics and annual growing conditions affect yield more than the immediate previous crop in high-input Columbia Basin potato production systems where best management practices are routinely implemented. Data support the sustainability of potato production in the region.