Articles

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important global crops. It is the world's fourth most significant crop in terms of total production, with over 380 million metric tons of potatoes produced worldwide annually. With shallow root systems and a strong phenological response to water deficiency, scheduling and managing irrigation for potatoes is vital for tuber yield and quality. The purpose of this article is to compile and summarize the latest research findings regarding potato water needs and irrigation technologies/scheduling, soil/nutrient interactions, and biological/environmental factors that affect irrigation efficiencies. Peak water demand ranges from 500 mm to 700 mm for the potato season and occurs during tuber bulking, when the tuber's crop coefficient (Kc) value ranges from 1.05 to 1.20. Combining drip irrigation and deficit scheduling has produced up to 40% water-use savings, with minimal yield reductions, when real-time monitoring of soil moisture and evapotranspiration is used for scheduling. Enhancing water use efficiency is accomplished through soil management practices such as increasing organic matter, tillage methods, and precision fertigation. The leading edge in the precision management of potato water use includes new technologies such as IoT-enabled sensors, remote sensing, and machine-learning-based decision-making systems. This review synthesizes physiological, agronomic, and technological information into one comprehensive framework for improving potato irrigation systems under the growing global challenge of water shortages.