Advanced Field Technology for Potato Cultivation and Production

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A Land of Rich Agricultural Heritage

Egypt, known for its pyramids and ancient civilization, also boasts a rich agricultural heritage. The Nile River, often called the lifeline of Egypt, has nurtured the land for thousands of years, making it fertile and ideal for farming. The potato is unique among the many crops cultivated in this region, and the Nile's contribution to its cultivation cannot be overstated. In this video, we will explore the fascinating world of potato cultivation in Egypt, from its historical roots to present-day techniques.

Historical Significance: The Potato's Journey to Egypt

While potatoes are often associated with countries like Ireland or Peru, their presence in Egypt dates back centuries. The crop is believed to have been introduced to the region during the Ottoman Empire. 

Over time, the potato became a dietary staple crucial in mitigating famine and ensuring food security. Today, Egypt is one of the largest producers of potatoes in the Middle East, a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its farmers, who have continuously refined their farming practices.

The Nile Delta: Nature's Gift to Egyptian Farmers

Situated in northern Egypt, the Nile Delta is a sprawling, fertile region that has been a hub of agriculture for centuries. The annual flooding of the Nile, a natural phenomenon that has sustained Egyptian agriculture for millennia, brings in nutrient-rich sediment, creating a natural fertilization process. 

This, coupled with the region's mild climate, makes it an ideal location for potato cultivation. The farmers here have mastered the art of water management, using a network of canals and ditches to ensure the crops receive just the right amount of moisture.

Potato Varieties: A Diverse Range of Cultivars

Egypt is home to various potatoes, each with unique characteristics. The 'Spunta', for instance, is known for its creamy texture and is often used for boiling or making mashed potatoes. On the other hand, the 'Diamant' is prized for its high yield, making it a popular choice for commercial potato production. These are just two examples of the diverse range of cultivars found in Egypt. The selection of variety depends on the intended use (whether for chips, fries, or boiling), the soil type, and the climate. Farmers' knowledge of these different cultivars ensures a successful harvest.

Traditional vs. Modern Techniques: Striking a Balance

While modern agricultural practices have entered Egypt, traditional techniques remain. Many farmers, especially in rural areas, rely on age-old methods passed down through generations. 

These include practices like ridge planting, where potatoes are grown on elevated mounds, allowing for better drainage. At the same time, there is a growing adoption of modern technologies, such as precision irrigation and soil testing. This balance ensures that Egypt's rich agricultural heritage is preserved while embracing modern innovation's benefits.

Favorable meteorological conditions.

 In the early stages of its development, it requires a relatively warm environment with temperatures between 25 and 20 ° C and a reasonably long day. During the development and growth of new tubers, the environment tends to be excellent (19-16 ° C) and short in duration. 

The following is the most suitable planting date: Each year, the summer grove and the associated land area account for approximately 35% of the total cultivated land area. Summer lugs are sown with imported seeds from December to the first part of February; every year, imported seeds are planted, which accounts for about 35% of the total area of agricultural land.

It is estimated that the Nile planting pod is the most essential pod of potatoes for Egyptian potato production in terms of cultivated area, accounting for 55 percent of the total cultivated area. The farm is planted annually from mid-August until mid-October, depending on the season. 

The wildflowers are grown in large quantities in winter, representing about 10% of the total area cultivated annually. It is sown from mid-October until mid-October every year. The procedure for green seed germination consists of the following steps:

Winter arrowroot is the most important crop in the region, accounting for about 10% of the total cultivated area each year. It is planted from mid-October to mid-November and is also the most expensive.
Following are the processes involved in implementing the green seed germination technology:

 1. The seeds are placed in plastic field boxes 2-3 tiers high and allowed to grow for two weeks in a well-lit and ventilated environment away from direct sunlight and strong air currents with a source of moisture around the seeds until the seeds germinate and grow into a short and thick green plant.

It aims to identify germinated and uncultivable tubes and remove them from the planting area before the planting season begins.

The rapid emergence of plants on the soil surface and an increase in the degree of regularity of plant growth in the field are indicators of climate change.

The number of eyes that form on the surface of the tuber must be increased to increase the number of stems generated per plant, which in turn increases the number of new tubes that are created.

Maturity at an early age is possible.

It is necessary to plant the following amount of seeds per acre: to produce a summer bougainvillea, the land area requires 750 or 800 kg of fragmented seeds, and the weight of the piece of seed sown should be considered to be at least 40-50 g (the size of a large egg), and a piece The seed is at least 2-3 eyes, and the knives must be disinfected with one of the above substances. 

A Feddan ( 4200 m2) is needed to make the summer lug to produce 1250 - 1500 kg of whole, undivided indigo seeds. An area of land requires 750 or 800 kilograms of fragmented seeds. It must be considered that the weight of each piece of cultivated seed should not be less than 40-50 g (about the size of a large egg), that each piece of seed contains at least 2-3 eyes, and that knives must be disinfected with one of the materials listed below before being used. 

To prevent the transmission of diseases, a combination of disinfectants such as alcohol, caustic soda, caustic potash, or boiling water should be used, and the cutting process should be completed 24 to 48 hours before planting to allow sufficient time for the formation of the cork layer on the cut surface to be completed. Indigo and perplexing arrows need an acre of land to produce a yield of 1250–1500 kg per acre, with a yield of 1250–1500 kg per acre. Some varieties with large tubers may yield up to 1750 kg of weight from their whole, undivided seeds, which is an incredible amount of weight.

1. The manual method (bundling): In this method, the land is plowed 2-3 times, with perpendicular plowing and crawling between each plow and another, and then the old municipal manure and superphosphate fertilizer are added before the last plow. 2. 

The mechanical method (bundling): In this method, the land is plowed 2-3 times, perpendicular plowing and crawling between each plow and another. Following the establishment of phage lines, the second method of culture, semi-automated cultivation equipment, is used to plant entire or segmented tubers, and personnel are required to feed the seeds during this cultivation technique. 

These machines have a fertilizing system, and their efficiency reaches 2.5 Fed per day. Some machines are planted with two lines, while others are planted with four.

The preparation consists of plowing the land 2-3 times with perpendicular plowing and crawling between each plow and another, followed by applying old municipal manure and superphosphate fertilizer before the last plow. After developing phage lines, the next step is to isolate the phages.

This method, which uses semi-automated cultivation equipment that plants whole or segmented tubers and requires personnel to feed the seeds as they are grown, is also known as a semi-automated cultivation technique. These machines have a fertilization mechanism; some are planted in two lines, while others are grown in four. This machine's productivity is 2.5 acres per day, and it can plant two or four lines in a single pass.

This is the third alternative, a fully automated cultivation approach in which robots plant entire tubers with diameters ranging from 35 to 60 mm and are fitted with a fertilizing mechanism. Pruning devices with CUPS, such as two or four lines, are also desired; at the moment, the efficiency of a two-line machine may reach around 5–6 acres per day, depending on the species.

 Potatoes soaked in water: Plants such as potatoes are susceptible to soil moisture deficiency, especially during the pouring and forming of new tubers (after approximately 5-7 weeks of planting) and the following phase, a growth phase, and large tuber size. Therefore, the ground moisture during these two phases should be at least 60% soft water.

The potatoes that have been irrigated are as follows:

Consequently, potatoes are susceptible to soil moisture deficits, particularly during the phase of pouring and forming new tubers (after approximately 5-7 weeks of planting) and the following phase, which is a phase of growth and large size of these tubers, so that the ground moisture during these two phases should not be less than 60% of soft water during these two phases. Irrigation requirements for the summer lug are generally 10-12 irrigations, whereas irrigation requirements for the indigo or muddy lug are around 6-8. 

Moreover, it was revealed that potatoes' water rating exceeds 2350 m3 during the summer lug, but it only reaches 1400 m3 during the indigo and muddy lug periods. When you hoe the plants, you will get the following results: The weeding process has begun. The first step is to eliminate weeds and smooth the lines' abdomen after germination, 4 days after planting the seed.

 Deep hoeing follows, in which the dirt surrounding the plants is elevated from the two blades to cover the tubers 60 days after the first planting. Because of the enormous size of the plants' vegetative mass, the hoeing is halted at 70 days.

Fertilization:

-The hoeing procedure is started. The first stage is to remove weeds and smooth the abdomen of the lines once germination has been completed, which occurs at the age of 4 days after the seed has been sown in the ground.

A deep hoeing procedure is then performed, in which the earth around the plants is lifted from the two blades to cover and protect tubers at 60 days following the first planting. Due to the large size of the plants' vegetative mass, the hoeing is stopped at 70 days.

Fertilization:
When preparing the field for planting before the final plowing, the old land (20 m3) is utilized as an old country fertilizer. It contains 20 m3 of it. It is used to fertilize the soil before the final plowing operation.

 (Around 150 and 180 nitrogen units were injected in three separate phases.) It included the first batch of 50 units of land preparation in the form of ammonium sulfate fertilizer in the amount of 250 kg in the first batch (20.6 percent). After the first batch of 40-50 units has been harvested, a second batch of 40-50 units will be accessible as ammonium sulfate fertilizer. 

(Twenty-six percent) 200-250 kilograms. A third payment of 50-60 units of ammonium nitrate fertilizer was made two weeks following the second payment (33 percent). In the form of mono superphosphate fertilizer, 400-500 kg (15.5 percent), 150-200 kg* 60-75 units of P2O5 in the form of mono superphosphate fertilizer, 400-500 kg (15.5 percent), applied during land preparation before plowing the last example is using compost.
Each of the three batches (first, second, and third) had between 150 and 180 nitrogen units.

The initial batch of 50 units was assigned to prepare the ground by applying ammonium sulfate fertilizer. (Approximately 250 kilograms)20.6 percent of the people
After the first batch is finished, an additional 40-50 units, 200-250 kg (20.6 percent) of ammonium sulfate fertilizer, are planned.

Two weeks after the second payment, a third payment was made in the form of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in 50-60 units. The weight range is 150–200 kg (33%).

Before plowing, 400–500 kg (15.5 percent) of P2O5 fertilizer in mono-superphosphate fertilizer is applied to the soil to prepare it for planting.

Composting is the final stage in the process.

Fertilizer containing potassium sulfate in 96 K2O units One hundred and forty-two kilograms (48 percent) were applied in two batches, the first during field preparation for planting and the second following germination and the beginning of tuber development. 

* A minimum of 120-150 nitrogen units and a maximum of 180 nitrogen units are required for production. When preparing the field for cultivation, a revitalizing dosage of 20-30 units is applied as ammonium sulfate fertilizer containing 20.6 percent nitrate (100-150 kg). The remaining amount is applied in about 5–6 batches with irrigation water until the plant reaches the age of 70 days, with the first batch being in the form of ammonium sulfate fertilizer and the remaining batches being in the form of ammonium nitrate fertilizer.

A minimum of 120-150 nitrogen units and a maximum of 180 nitrogen units.

When preparing the land for cultivation with ammonium sulfate fertilizer, a rejuvenating dose of 20–30 units is supplied. 100 to 150 kg (21.6 percent). The remaining quantity is added in 5–6 batches throughout the day. When the crop reaches the age of 70 days, irrigation water is employed, resulting in the first batch of fertilizer being in the form of ammonium sulfate and the remaining batches being in the form of ammonium nitrate (33 percent).

During the land preparation process, 60-70 units of P2O5 in the form of a single superphosphate fertilizer weighing 400-500 kg (15.5 percent) were applied, just as they were on the previous fields.

When the field was prepared for planting, 96 units of K2O in the form of potassium sulfate fertilizer (200 kg, 48 percent) were added to the soil.

To increase the enzymatic activity involved in the production of starch and sugar, it is recommended that plants be sprayed with a solution containing a combination of iron, zinc, and manganese elements twice when they are 55–70 days old, especially on new ground. 

The following are signs of crop maturity: A. A yellowing of the vegetative mass of plants occurs naturally rather than as a consequence of disease infestation. The completeness of the crust's creation, its attachment to the skin, and the difficulty of removing it by hand are all factors to consider.

The following are signals that the crop is nearing maturity:

1. a. A yellowing of the plant's vegetative mass that develops naturally rather than as a result of a pathogenic infection is defined as follows:

The amount of crust that has developed and clung to the flesh and the difficulty of removing it by hand are all factors to consider.

3) The ease with which the tuber is extracted from the mother plant.

Cutting away the plants' thrones with cutting machines 24–48 hours before harvesting is done in the ancient lands. Harvesting should begin early in the morning before the air temperature rises, especially in the summer grove. Harvesting should be completed as soon after harvesting as possible in the morning.

The boys collect the exposed tubers individually before harvesting since most are afflicted with potato tuber worm, sun blight, or foliage and must be separated.

If possible, the weapon of the plow should be driven deeper into the ground while opening the lines to reduce mechanical damage to the tubers.

Tubers are sorted in the field after harvesting to eliminate damaged, diseased, and wounded tubers from the batch. The tubers are left to rest for 2-3 hours after harvesting to enable excess moisture to drain from them before being sorted again to remove any remaining tubers from the batch.

b. Venturing into uncharted waters:

Harvesters are combined with a rotating harvesting machine, which consists of a weapon that runs longitudinally beneath the potato line. This weapon loosens the dirt and potatoes from the line before prongs sweep the soil and potatoes into an area where employees may gather them.

2. An elevating harvesting machine with separating mats is used, which raises the soil and tubers by separating mats composed of straight steel bars connected to form the mat.

 3. An adequate distance between the bars is maintained to enable the passage of soil components from them back down, and the tubers migrate across the mat to the rear, where they are collected by the workers.

Harvesting is carried out using fully automated equipment that performs the same activities as the machine using mats but pulls the tubers out of the soil and onto a trailer after they have been separated from the soil components and thrones.

A thick layer of clean, dry rice straw is spread on top of the tubers at a height of around 1/2 meter, and it is then left for approximately one day.

The goal of this procedure is to (1) eliminate excess moisture from the tubers while hardening their skin and (2) harden the skin of the tubers (2)

2. Dry soil particles stuck to the tubers and were easily removed since they were so small.

3. Attending to any injuries that may have occurred during the harvesting procedure.

Fourth, the simplicity with which defective and damaged tubers may be recognized and excluded from consideration.

Can I irrigate my potato with saline water?

 Drip irrigation is the only way to produce potatoes in salty water, even if the EC is as high as 3.5ds/m. Other watering systems might result in leaf burns and reduced yields.

What are the benefits of drip irrigation in the marketing of potatoes?

Drip irrigation guarantees high-quality tubers of uniform size, allowing you to provide the best planting material to the market.

What is the best month to plant potatoes?
Potatoes can be grown throughout the year except for the scorching months.

How long do potatoes take to grow?
100 up to 140 days, depending on the cultivars 

When planting potatoes, do you put the eyes up or down?
The only thing to remember when planting potatoes is to plant them with their eyes facing up.