The irrigation impact on the yield of mediumearly potatoes in southern Wielkopolska

The work presents the research results of impact and effects of applying irrigation by sprinkling machine on the yield of medium-early potatoes. The research and observation conducted in growing seasons 2011, 2012 and 2013, on the private agricultural and production farm, in Kurów, located in the Ostrów Wielkopolski district, in the borough of Nowe Skalmierzyce, in the Wielkopolska Province. The area of the farm was 31 ha and 4 ha of potatoes were irrigated. The study confirmed that by using interventional irrigation in periods of water deficits, the medium-early potato yield increased by 30%, against the non-irrigated area. The evaluation of the research results also showed that patchy distribution of precipitation, in the analyzed growing season had an adverse influence on the crop. Frequent and long dry periods contributed to losses and decrease in potato yield.