Assessment of two irrigation systems on plant growth, physiological traits, tuber yield and biochemical contents of five potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties grown under arid conditions

Abstract Five potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties of varied maturity, Spunta and Arizona (mid-early maturity), Faluka and Kuroda (mid-late maturity), and Manitou (late maturity), were cultivated under two irrigation systems (subsurface drip and sprinkler irrigation). A split-plot experimental design with three replicates was used. Our results showed a significant effect of irrigation system and variety, where the application of subsurface drip irrigation resulted in increased growth parameters, except for the number of plants m−2 emerging after 15 days of planting and the number of stems m−2. Furthermore, the subsurface drip irrigation system resulted in low F0 (minimum leaf fluorescence yield), high Fm (maximum leaf fluorescence yield), and low Fv (variable fluorescence)/Fm values, while it increased real evapotranspiration by 60 % compared to sprinkler irrigation system. Moreover, subsurface drip irrigation significantly increased yield.m−2, as well as sucrose and starch content in leaves and tubers in all the tested varieties, compared to sprinkler irrigation system. The highest yield (3.79, 3.64 and 3.39 kg of tubers per m2) and average number of tubers per m2 (36.55, 35.17 and 35.45) were recorded in Spunta, Arizona and Kuroda varieties, respectively. In conclusion, our results provide important information about the effect of irrigation systems on potato growth and yield components, as well as on physiological parameters and biochemical content in leaves and tubers. Therefore, the use of subsurface drip irrigation could be recommended under arid conditions to improve the efficiency of water use without compromising yield parameters in terms of both quantity and quality.