Crop guide · Solanum tuberosum
Irish potato: what to measure and why
A highland crop whose tubers are made in the soil, so soil temperature and moisture at tuber initiation decide the harvest. Late blight weather decides the spray programme.
Also known as Viazi
Growing conditions
The ranges irish potato cares about
General agronomic ranges. A soil test and your agronomist decide the final numbers for your variety and site.
| Factor | Range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Soil temperature for tubers | 15–20 °C | Tuber set falls away as soil passes ~25 °C |
| Soil pH | 5.0–6.5 | Lower end helps limit common scab |
| Critical water period | tuber initiation and bulking | Irregular moisture causes growth cracks and hollow heart |
| Salinity tolerance | moderately sensitive (~1.7 dS/m) | — |
Risks
Where irish potato loses yield
Late blight
Cool, humid, wet spells spread blight fast. On-farm humidity and rain tell you when protection is due.
Uneven tubers
Moisture swings during bulking cause growth cracks and misshapen tubers.
Start with a walk around your farm.
The first conversation is a site visit: we walk the farm with you and understand what you grow or keep and what is going wrong. No cost, no commitment. Buy outright, lease, or pay as you go by M-Pesa.