Influence of Water Regime of Sod-Podzolic Soils on Potato Yield under Irrigation

Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, 49, Timiryazevskay St. Moscow, 127434 Russian Federation

^* Corresponding author: uubb38265@gmail.com

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the moisture limits of sod-podzolic soils during potato irrigation by sprinkling. The studies were carried out on the experimental plot in 2013 – 2015. The research methodology was developed by the teaching staff of the Department of Agricultural Land Reclamation of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A. Timiryazev. The scientific research was carried out on the experimental plots and in the laboratory. The research results were used to solve the task. Using the experimental data and the formula by V.V. Shabanov, we designed a graph of the change pattern in the relative potato yield (Yi/Ymax) depending on the relative moisture content in sod-podzolic soil (in a layer of 0.5 m) under sprinkling. In the formula by V.V. Shabanov for irrigated sod- podzolic soils in the Russian Non-Chernozem zone, the value of yi indicator was determined to be γ = 4.686. It has been established that the moisture content of sod-podzolic soils should be maintained within the most favorable limits considering the potato needs during its growth and development period. The optimal moisture range of sod-podzolic soils, according to the research data, was (0.64-0.79) from the total moisture capacity (TMC) for potatoes. The ratio coefficient of this dependence is 0.942±0.078, which indicates a close connection between the studied quantities.