Precautions for Potato Cultivation

1. Potato planting should be done with timely early sowing.
Timely early sowing is key to achieving high yields. In plain areas, the optimal sowing window falls around the Jingzhe solar term—between February 20 and March 5 on the Gregorian calendar. Sow as early as possible without falling behind; as long as the soil is well‑drained and workable, you can proceed with plowing. For greenhouse‑grown potatoes, planting typically begins in mid-to-late December. Choose a period of cool tail and warm head weather to raise soil temperature at planting and encourage early emergence.
2. Deep plowing and meticulous soil preparation for potato cultivation, ensuring adequate soil moisture and sufficient fertilizer.
Soil moisture should be adequate at planting. Potatoes thrive in rich, well‑drained soils that promote tuber enlargement; therefore, till the soil deeply to a depth of about 25 cm using machinery, then rake it smooth and firm the surface. Because their growing period is relatively short and nutrient requirements are concentrated, fertilization should primarily rely on base fertilizer: apply 3–5 cubic meters per mu of high‑quality manure before plowing, and incorporate chemical fertilizers into the planting furrows at sowing.
3. Sprouting and cutting potatoes for planting
One day before planting, cut the seed potatoes into pieces, or cut and plant immediately; avoid cutting too early to prevent rotting. Before slicing, prepare two knives and disinfect them by soaking in 75% alcohol. Cut seed potatoes that have already emerged from dormancy into pieces weighing 25–30 grams, ensuring each piece has a healthy eye. Replace the knife after every whole potato is cut. Plant promptly after cutting; do not pile up the cut pieces to prevent rot.
4. The planting depth is the most critical factor in potato cultivation.
When planting, make furrows about 15 cm deep. Apply a mixed fertilizer to each mu of furrow at a rate of 15 kg of diammonium phosphate, 22 kg of urea, and 55 kg of pure potassium sulfate, or formulate the mix according to a ratio of 5 kg of pure nitrogen, 2 kg of phosphorus, and 11 kg of potassium per 1,000 kg of tubers produced. Incorporate an insecticide into the furrow to control underground pests. After thoroughly blending the fertilizer and pesticide with the soil, place the seed pieces in the furrow, ensuring they do not come into direct contact with the fertilizer to prevent fertilizer burn.
Cover the soil promptly, form ridges, and ensure that, once the final shape is established, the planting depth of the tubers is no less than 12 cm from the ridge surface. For single-row planting, maintain a row spacing of 65–70 cm and a plant spacing of 20–25 cm. For double-row planting on wide ridges, set the wide ridge at 70 cm apart, with narrow rows spaced 25–30 cm apart and plants 25 cm apart. In single-row planting, the ridge should be 20–25 cm wide and 15–20 cm high; in double-row planting on wide ridges, the ridge should be 40–45 cm wide and 12–15 cm high. Planting density should be 4,500–5,000 plants per mu. The ridge surface must be leveled to facilitate mulching with plastic film.