Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2021 - 95

POTATOES (IRISH) (Solanum tuberosum)
VARIETIES1
AL
POTATOES
Atlantic 4, 5, 9
Dark Red Norland 4, 7
Envol 5
Harley Blackwell 4, 8
Katahdin 5
Kennebec 6, 8
La Rouge 4
Mountain Rose
Norchip 4
Purple Majesty
Red LaSoda 5
Red Pontiac 5
Superior 4, 8
Yukon Gold 5, 7, 9
Fingerling Types
French Fingerling
Russian Banana 4
1
2
3
Abbreviations for state where recommended.
Purple flesh when mature.
Red flesh when mature.
A
A
A
6
3
K
2
A
A
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
Susceptible to scab.
K
K
K
K
K
K
4 Tolerant/resistant to scab.
5
Late blight tolerance/resistance.
Planting and Spacing. The recommended planting dates for potatoes
are in the following table.
POTATO PLANTING DATES
Spring
AL North
AL South
GA North
GA South
KY East
KY Central
KY West
LA North
LA South
MS North
MS South
NC East
NC West
SC East
SC West
TN East
TN West
VA East (coastal)
VA West (mountains)
2/15-4/30
1/15-3/31
3/15-4/30
2/1-3/31
3/20-6/15
3/15-7/1
3/15-7/15
1/15-2/28
1/15-2/28
1/20-3/15
1/20-3/1
2/15-3/31
4/1-6/15
2/1-3/31
3/15-4/30
3/20-4/30
2/15-3/31
3/10-4/5
4/1-6/15
Fall
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
7/15-9/1
7/1-9/15
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
Space seed 7 to 12 inches apart in 34- or 36- inch rows. Use closer
spacing for large, cut seed pieces and wider spacing for whole
(B-size) seed. Use close spacing for potatoes being marketed in
5- and 10-pound consumer packs and for Katahdin and Kennebec,
which tend to set few tubers and produce oversize tubers.
Seed-Piece Treatment. Use certified seed. Warm potato seed 65°F
to 70°F for a period of 2 to 3 weeks before planting to encourage
rapid emergence. Do not use seed pieces that weigh less than 1.5
oz each. Plant seed pieces immediately after cutting or store under
conditions suitable for rapid healing of the cut surfaces (60°
to 70°F plus high humidity). Dust seed pieces immediately after
cutting with fungicide. Some fungicide seed-piece treatments are
2021 Vegetable Crop Handbook for Southeastern United States
L
L
M
M
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
7
Ozone sensitive.
8 Tolerant to heat necrosis.
9
Susceptible to heat necrosis.
formulated with fir or alder bark. Bark formulations have been effective
treatments to reduce seed piece decay. Further information
on seed treatments can be found under SEED TREATMENTS in
the disease management section of the handbook.
SPECIAL NOTES FOR PEST MANAGEMENT
INSECT MANAGEMENT
Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB): Rotation to non-solanaceous
crops (crops other than potato, tomato, eggplant, and pepper) is extremely
important in reducing CPB problems.
The further fields can be planted from last year's solanaceous
crop, the more beneficial it will be in reducing CPB problems.
Avoid the application of late-season sprays to prevent the buildup
of insecticide-resistant beetles.
Beginning at plant emergence, sample fields weekly for CPB
to determine the need to spray. Select at least 10 sites per field
along a V- or W-shaped path throughout the field. At each site,
select one stem from each of five adjacent plants and count and
record all adults, large larvae (more than half-grown), and small
larvae (less than half-grown). As a general guideline, if more than
25 adults or 75 large larvae or 200 small larvae are counted per 50
stems, a treatment is recommended. The amount of yield loss as a
result of CPB feeding depends on the age of the potato plant. The
Superior variety (short season) cannot compensate for early season
defoliation by overwintered beetles, but, during the last 30 days of
the season, Superior can withstand up to 50% defoliation without
yield loss.
Note: Several insecticides may no longer be effective in certain
areas due to CPB resistance. Alternate insecticide classes from one
year to the next to avoid resistance. Check with the county Extension
agent in your area for the most effective control.
Flea Beetles and Leafhoppers: Treatment is suggested if leafhopper
counts exceed three adults per sweep or one nymph per 10
leaves.
95
A
A
A
GA
G
G
G
K
L
L
KY
K
K
LA
L
L
MS
M
NC
N
N
N
N
O
S
S
O
O
O
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
V
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
OK
SC
S
S
TN
T
T
VA
V
V
V
Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2021
