Agricultura tiin i practic

nr. 3- 4(83-84)/2012

EXTRA EARLY AND EARLY POTATO PRODUCTION IN

OPEN FIELD AND TUNNEL WITH TRANSPARENT FOIL, IN
THE HILLY PART OF TRANSYLVANIA
Topan C., S. Vatca
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture
3-5 Manastur St., 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Abstract. Even though it is considered a simple and cheap nutriment, the food of the poor
and the plant of under-privileged areas, the potato benefits from a wide popularity, being
considered, beside other crops, a revelation in the cultivation of plants, this becoming a basis
nutriment for the whole earth population. It is being required more and more to produce as soon as
possible great quantities of early potato for consumption, both for satisfying the supply needs of the
market internally and for the export requests. The technology of cultivating extra-early and early
potatoes comprises of specific elements, such as choosing and preparing the land, so as to ensure a
more pronounced early emergence, choosing the soil and preparing the tubers before the planting,
differently applying the attendance proceedings, protecting the in-field cultures with plastic foils.
Key words: potato, technology, protection, sprouted

INTRODUCTION
Early potatoes comes to improve the diet of population, because this is a fresh
food, rich in vitamins, mineral salts at a time when most fruits and vegetables did not
appear on the market and fall potatoes lost some quality from storage over the winter. For
farmers extra early potatoes and early potatoes culture is very important in terms economic
because very early in the spring you can get increased market prices.
Potato, considered a simple and cheap food, plant deprived areas, it enjoys great
popularity, being considered among other crop cultures revelation, becoming a staple food
for the entire population of the world.
Besides being a tasty and nutritious food, potatoes provide the main source of
income for many farmers specialized in potato, which is an excellent culture for different
crop rotations, integrated well in the farms that are growing grain or vegetables.
The earlier production of large quantities of extra early and early potatoes for
consumption should be increasingly more to supply the domestic market and export market
requirements.
To contribute to the improvement of extra early and early potato cultivation
technology, research has addressed some aspects of the overall efficiency of potato culture
protection with plastic foil in order to obtain extra early and early production in the hills of
Transylvania.
MATERIAL AND METHOD

The studied varieties were Ostara, Agata and Impala. In the culture system was
used the experiments in tunnels with transparent foil. Most important technological work
in order to obtain extra early and early potatoes is the preparation the tuber before planting,
so after sorting and calibration tubers were presprouting, sprouting and rooting.

- 56 -

Agricultura tiin i practic

nr. 3- 4(83-84)/2012

As regards the suitability of the studied species, there has been analyzed the
earliness degree, the production obtained from the variants of preparing the plating
material (pre-sprouted, sprouted, rooted) and the enhancement of the earliness which are
added by the methods of protecting the culture.
Factors and graduations. The factors studied for accomplishing the experiments
are:
Factor (A): Potato species with graduations:
a1 Ostara;
a2 Impala;
a3 Agata;
Factor (B): Protecting the crop, with graduations:
b1 unprotected;
b2 in tunnels with transparent polyethylene foil;
Factor (C): Preparing the tubers before cultivation, with graduations:
c1 non-sprouted;
c2 pre-sprouted;
c3 sprouted;
c4 sprouted and rooted.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results obtained in the case of producing potatoes in 2007 year was influenced
in first phase of accumulation by adverse weather conditions, because the last frost it was
late in May, (Table 1). Since the second decade of June there has been a dramatic increase
in production, reaching 15 June at version sprouted to 11,973 kg / ha with a difference of
over 3000 kg / ha compared to the unprotected version and by root tuber production
approaching 14,000 kg / ha, the difference of culture unprotected in this case exceeds 3000
kg / ha.
For potato production begins early June from 3000 - 3500 kg / ha and reaches
15,700 to 16,900 kg / ha at the end of this month.
Commercial production reached more than 11,000 kg / ha, the largest difference
being in the open culture of 2400-2600 kg / ha on 9.06.
In the low tunnel production is accumulates continuously until the end of the
growing season, i.e. varieties of potatoes times during the growing season may end in
tunnel under normal differences when tuber is practically canceled rooted plants get the
physiological maturity in tunnel (table 1).
As shown in table 2 in the experimental year 2007, Impala variety yields obtained
are lower in the first three harvest date because the last frost in late May that affected early
potato crop. Since the second decade of June accumulations are significant production
version unsprouted tuber crop production exceeded 3000 kg/ha for all sizes and the
sprouting tuber production approaching 5,000 kg/ha in medium size and high culture in the
tunnel. On June 14 we obtained a total production of 14080 kg/ha of which was 9955kg/ha
commercial production and by the root tubers of 16520 kg/ha total production commercial
production exceeding 11000 kg / ha.
From these results Impala variety proves to be a much safer kind for early potato
variety Ostara, in Cluj area, than at the end of June can overcome commercial production

- 57 -

Agricultura tiin i practic

nr. 3- 4(83-84)/2012

from 12,500 to 12,700 kg / ha in presprouting and sprouting and rooting and protected by
low tunnel with transparent polyethylene.
From table 3 we notice a small productions obtained in 2007 year, the first two
harvest date, of Agata variety is also affected as much as the other two varieties
experienced unfavorable conditions extra early and early potato crop in late May, yields
obtained at that time by sprouting and rooting planting ranging between 1900 - 2000 kg/ha.
Starting in the second decade of June early potato production increased significantly, from
June 14 through sprouting tubers was carried 11919 kg/ha and at the end it was 16780
kg/ha.
By sprouting and root tubers before planting in the tunnel at the end of June, we
obtained a production about 17530 kg/ha with a difference of 2366 kg/ha compared to
open field culture.
In conclusion Agata variety grown in tunnels and open fields can produce only
early potatoes in June.
The results obtained in the case of producing potatoes prepared by different
stimulation methods in tunnels of transparent polyethylene foil highlight an approach, an
equalization of production between the non-sprouted and pre-sprouted material, the
temperature created in the soil by covering it with transparent foil in the shape of tunnels
stimulating even more the appearance of sprouts at the non-sprouted tubers than the growth
of sprouts at the pre-sprouted tubers, in the end the productions of the experimented
species being equal.
In the case of the low housings tunnel-type, production continuously accumulates
until the end of the vegetation period of the potatoes or, in other words, the early potato
species can end their vegetation period in normal conditions in tunnels, the differences in
the case of rooted tubers being practically cancelled, this meaning that the plants in the
tunnel reach the physiological maturation.
REFERENCES
1. Ianosi I.S.-2002, Cultura cartofului pentru consum, Ed. Phoenix Braov.
2. Morar G. et al.-2004, Fitotehnie, Ed. Ion Ionescu de la Brad, Iai.
3. Nan I.-1999, Cultura cartofului n Romnia vol.9 nr.1, ianuarie-martie Pregtirea
materialului pentru plantare la cartof timpuriu I..C.P.C. Braov.
4. Tua G.i colab.-1978, Cultura cartofului extratimpuriu, timpuriu i de var Ed. Ceres
Bucureti.
5. Stan N., i colab., 2003, Tratat de legumicultur, Ed. Ceres , Bucureti, ISBN 973-400594-4.

- 58 -

Agricultura tiin i practic

nr. 3- 4(83-84)/2012

Table 1
Production of first and second early potato variety obtained in field and tunnel condition in 2007
Harvested
potato size

28-35
mm

35-45
mm

>60
mm

Total

Commercial
production

Data
collection
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06

Open field
Ne (1)
146
256
680
1800
2942
3420
170
253
1253
1756
3240
3610
110
260
850
2020
3350
3864
426
769
2783
5576
9532
10894
280
513
2103
3776
6590
7474

Pre.(2)
258
372
750
1920
3110
3864
210
356
1760
2060
3460
3735
245
450
1720
2655
3830
4230
713
1178
4230
6635
10400
11829
455
806
3480
4715
7290
7965

nc.(3)
350
548
987
2350
3710
5140
280
425
2004
3084
4900
5500
580
635
2040
3460
4460
5390
1210
1608
5031
8894
13070
16030
860
1060
4044
6544
9360
10890

nr.(4)
500
600
1260
3080
4260
5506
400
650
2860
3900
5520
5880
320
862
2500
3825
4900
5703
1220
2112
6620
10805
14680
17089
720
1512
5360
7725
10420
11583

Variety Ostara 2007

Production kg&ha
Tunel
Tunnel
Ne.(5) Pre.(6) nc.(7)
360
375
546
470
564
806
1500
1760
2410
2900
3156
3938
3750
3880
4681
4370
4500
5163
314
350
580
500
620
1160
2740
2640
3330
3251
3610
3975
3964
4070
4520
4580
4710
5240
340
375
480
494
774
1097
2120
2480
3120
3360
3500
4060
3782
3910
4860
4467
4653
5364
1014
1100
1606
1464
1958
3063
6360
6880
8860
9511
10266
11973
11496
11860
14061
13417
13863
15767
654
725
1060
994
1394
2257
4860
5120
6450
6611
7110
8035
7746
7980
9380
9047
9363
10604

- 59 -

nr.(8)
500
1020
2823
4688
5446
5300
835
1326
3762
4200
5685
5750
740
1200
4246
4980
5560
5900
2075
3546
10831
13868
16691
16950
1575
2526
8008
9180
11245
11650

Differences in production
between the two variants
(5)-(1) (6)-(2) (7)-(3) (8)-(4)
214
117
196
0
214
192
258
420
820
1010
1423
1563
1100
1236
1588
1608
808
770
971
1186
950
636
23
-206
144
140
300
435
247
264
735
676
1487
880
1326
902
1495
1550
891
300
724
610
-380
165
970
975
-260
-130
230
130
-100
420
234
324
462
338
1270
760
1080
1746
1340
845
600
1155
432
80
400
660
603
423
-26
197
588
387
396
855
695
780
1455
1434
3577
2650
3829
4211
3935
3631
3079
3063
1964
1460
991
2011
2523
2034
-263
-139
374
270
200
855
481
588
1197
1014
2757
1640
2406
2648
2835
2395
1491
1455
1156
690
20
825
1573
1398
-286
67

Agricultura tiin i practic

nr. 3- 4(83-84)/2012

Table 2
Production of first and second early potato variety obtained in field and tunnel condition in 2007
Harvested
potato size

28-35
mm

35-45
mm

>60
mm

Total

Commercial
production

Data
collection

24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06

Variety Impala 2007

Production kg/ha
Tunnel

Open field
Ne. (1)

Pre.(2)

nc.(3)

nr.(4)

Ne.(5)

Pre (6)

nc.(7)

nr.(8)

246
350
930
2000
2730
3400
250
400
1430
2300
3540
4230
180
355
1100
2700
3400
4400
676
1105
3460
7000
9670
12030
430
755
2530
5000
6940
8630

250
420
1024
2300
2860
3540
285
750
1550
2460
3600
4502
267
830
1428
2831
3360
4700
802
2000
4002
7591
9820
12742
552
1580
2978
5291
6960
9202

260
510
1250
2350
3900
4440
350
800
1870
2950
4160
4808
324
620
1746
3560
4020
4964
934
1930
4866
8860
12080
14212
674
1420
3616
6510
8180
9772

300
780
1780
2750
4601
5080
420
1080
2534
3560
4800
5600
560
475
2300
3820
4760
5300
1280
2335
6614
10130
14161
15980
980
1555
4834
7380
9560
10900

392
521
1960
3240
4220
4900
426
664
2740
3260
4400
5740
364
642
3020
3880
5040
5640
1182
1827
7720
10380
13660
16280
790
1306
5760
7140
9440
11380

480
645
2560
3700
4860
5320
366
700
3000
3750
4870
5900
440
735
3560
4404
5250
5800
1286
2080
9120
11854
14980
17020
806
1435
6560
8154
10120
11700

648
893
2900
4125
5850
6200
602
905
3760
4975
5500
6480
680
983
3940
4980
5826
6250
1930
2781
10600
14080
17176
18930
1282
1888
7700
9955
11326
12730

872
1054
4562
5380
6000
5910
680
1087
4520
5540
6360
6300
700
1180
4300
5600
6420
6210
2252
3321
13382
16520
18780
18420
1380
2267
8820
11140
12780
12510

- 60 -

Differences in production
between the two variants
(5)-(1) (6)-(2) (7)-(3) (8)-(4)
146
171
1030
1240
1490
1500
176
264
1310
960
860
1510
184
287
1920
1180
1640
1240
506
722
4260
3380
3990
4250
360
551
3230
2140
2500
2750

230
225
1536
1400
2000
1780
81
-50
1450
1290
1270
1398
173
-95
2132
1573
1890
1100
484
80
5118
4263
5160
4278
254
-145
3582
2863
3160
2498

388
383
1650
1775
1950
1760
252
105
1890
2025
1340
1672
356
363
2194
1420
1806
1286
996
851
5734
5220
5096
4718
608
468
4084
3445
3146
2958

572
274
2782
2630
1399
830
260
7
1986
1980
1560
700
140
705
2000
1780
1660
910
972
986
6768
6390
4619
2440
400
712
3986
3760
3220
1610

Agricultura tiin i practic

nr. 3- 4(83-84)/2012

Table 3
Production of first and second early potato variety obtained in field and tunnel condition in 2007
Harvested
potato size

28-35
mm

35-45
mm

>60
mm

Total

Commercial
production

Data
collection

24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06
24.05
2.06
9.06
14.06
21.06
28.06

Variety Agata 2007

Production kg&ha
Tunnel

Open field
Ne. (1)

Pre.(2)

nc.(3)

nr.(4)

Ne.(5)

Pre.(6)

nc.(7)

nr.(8)

180
320
645
1760
2500
3480
200
280
800
1500
2760
3500
136
200
600
1350
2450
3020
516
800
2045
4610
7710
10000
336
480
1400
2850
5210
6520

200
472
720
1900
2640
3834
300
326
1050
1740
2822
3690
230
600
960
1540
2640
3740
730
1398
2730
5180
8102
11264
530
926
2010
3280
5462
7430

540
705
1508
2312
3940
4480
492
694
1532
2694
3800
4720
560
924
1496
2100
3640
4084
1592
2323
4536
7106
11380
13284
1052
1618
3028
4794
7440
8804

586
842
1960
3220
4050
4904
700
945
1656
2875
3740
4860
800
1400
1940
3120
4240
5400
2086
3187
5556
9215
12030
15164
1500
2345
3596
5995
7980
10260

340
420
900
1886
2980
3900
330
450
1036
2350
3374
4046
480
930
1000
1950
2800
3460
1150
1800
2936
6186
9154
11406
810
1380
2036
4300
6174
7506

435
512
1105
2320
3406
4080
440
510
1340
2540
3590
4264
571
1027
1380
2570
3440
4200
1446
2049
3825
7430
10436
12544
1011
1537
2720
5110
7030
8464

732
960
2780
3976
5420
5720
560
786
2840
3968
4648
5300
640
1300
2654
3975
4722
5760
1932
3046
8274
11919
14790
16780
1200
2086
5494
7943
9370
11060

680
900
3346
4140
5765
5800
600
902
3168
4406
4850
5680
760
1650
3800
4400
5200
6050
2040
3452
10314
12946
15815
17530
1360
2552
6968
8806
10050
11730

- 61 -

Differences in production
between the two variants
(5)-(1)
(6)-(2)
(7)-(3)
(8)-(4)
160
100
255
126
480
420
130
170
236
850
614
546
344
730
400
600
350
440
634
1000
891
1576
1444
1406
474
900
636
1450
964
986

235
40
385
420
766
246
140
184
290
800
768
574
341
427
420
1030
800
460
716
651
1095
2250
2334
1280
481
611
710
1830
1568
1034

192
255
1272
1664
1480
1240
68
92
1308
1274
848
580
80
376
1158
1875
1082
1676
340
723
3738
4813
3410
3496
148
468
2466
3149
1930
2256

94
58
1386
920
1715
896
-100
-43
1512
1531
1110
820
-40
250
1860
1280
960
650
-46
265
4758
3731
3785
2366
-140
207
3372
2811
2070
1470