Impact of soil moisture and temperature on potato production using seepage and center pivot irrigation

• Converting seepage irrigation into overhead irrigation saved more than 50% of irrigation water for potato production in SW Florida.
• Soil moisture from 20–30 cm positively affected potato tuber yields.
• Soil temperature from 0–10 cm negatively impacted potato tuber yields.

Irrigation, soil moisture and temperature play an important role in potato production. This field study was conducted at a private potato farm in SW Florida from 2012 to 2014. The randomized complete block design was used: four production farms each with a pair of seepage and hybrid center pivot irrigation systems. Soil moisture and temperature at five soil depths, rainfall, and water table in situ were monitored. Nitrate levels at the top 20 cm soils were measured at harvest in the second growing season. Water usage was calculated by the flow meters and rain gauges. Potato yields were measured. The stepwise linear regression showed that the potato yield was mainly regulated by the surface (10 cm) soil temperature and soil water moisture at 20 and 30 cm depths. Hybrid center pivot can save more than 50% of irrigation water without significant yield loss, suggesting center pivot has great potential in water savings. Hybrid center pivot irrigation had relatively low nitrate concentrations at the top 20 cm soil, indicating a new fertilizer program may be needed for overhead irrigation.