Özet:

This study was conducted to determine the effects of deficit irrigation on tuber growth and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Certified seeds of potato variety “Agria” were used as study material. Irrigation treatments was consisted of one irrigation interval (5 days) and five different levels (I100, I85, I70, I55, I40) of soil water deficit measured before irrigations. First irrigation was applied by drip irrigation up to field capacity the soil water content in 0-60 cm depth in all treatments. Subsequent irrigations were applied according to the treatments.  The irrigation water and evapotranspiration (ET) values of treatments ranged from 243.0 to 311.9.4 mm and from 337.1 to 385.9 mm in the first year, respectively, and from 166.7 to 223.2 mm and from 204.0 to 255.7 mm in the second year, respectively. Yields varied from 30.85 to 47.13 t/ha in the first year and from 28.77 to 44.45 t/ha in the second year. The yields were decreased based on water deficit levels. The highest yields were obtained from I100 treatment. The results have indicated that water restriction had a significant effect on yield, single tuber weight, percentage of marketable tuber, plant length, mean tuber length, mean tuber diameter and percentage of tuber peeling. The results were showing that the I100 treatment in especially was of the most importance for the highest percentage marketable tuber and tuber yield obtained per unit water applied. Therefore, the I100 treatment can be recommended for potato cultivation under similar climatic and soil conditions.

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