Influence of Hydrothermal Parameters on Potato Irrigation Regime

Background: The article presents the results of studies that allow us to calculate and predict the water consumption of cultivated vegetable crops depending on the moisture availability of the growing season. Hydrothermal indicators of the territory during the entire growing season have a significant impact on the irrigation regime and water consumption of cultivated crops. Methods: In the present study, the assessment of natural moisture during the growing season was determined by the hydrothermal coefficient (GTC) according to the criterion of T.G. Selyaninov. The irrigation rate was calculated according to the modified formula of A.N. Kostyakov. Biological productivity was taken into account by the method of meter sites in three-fold repetition. Result: The value of the irrigation norm varies depending on the intensity of atmospheric droughts when growing potatoes in the conditions of the dry-steppe zone of the Lower Volga region. To maintain a given pre-irrigation threshold of soil moisture, it is necessary to take into account the hydrothermal indicators of the territory during the entire growing season. The use of modern resource-saving irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation, makes it possible to ensure an uninterrupted supply of moisture to plants and, as a result, to obtain high-quality crop yields. Thus, in order to obtain high and stable yields of potatoes grown on drip irrigation, depending on the heat and moisture availability of the growing season, it took from 2,250 to 3,040 m3/ha of irrigation water.