Effects of different water and potassium levels on yield and quality characteristics of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) requires high amounts of water and potassium to achieve optimum yield and quality. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the effects of different potassium doses and irrigation levels on the development, yield and quality of potatoes. The study was carried out in the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons in the Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Research and Application Area according to the experimental design with four replications in the form of three irrigation levels (S100, S66 and S33) main plots and six potassium doses (K0: 0 kg da-1, K4: 4 kg da-1, K8: 8 kg da-1, K12: 12 kg da-1, K16: 16 kg da-1 ve K20: 20 kg da-1 pure potassium) sub-plots in randomized blocks. In this research phenological observations, physiological measurements, pre-harvest and post-harvest measurements and plant nutrient analyses were conducted and plant water consumption, water use and irrigation water use efficiency were determined. In this research, increasing amount of irrigation and potassium doses caused an increase in yield and yield-related characters, while causing a decrease in tuber quality. To obtain optimum yield in potato production under deficit irrigation conditions in the Central Anatolia Region, it is recommended to use irrigation water amount between 590-639.4 mm. In addition, a potassium dose range of 12-16 kg da-1 is recommended to minimize the effects of drought stress caused by deficit irrigation. As a result of this research, the optimum deficit water amount and potassium dose determined for potato cultivation in Central Anatolia can be directly transferred to practice, and this information will contribute to the practices of potato producers.