Black potatoes, a newly developed colored variety, are gaining popularity due to their unique combination of nutrition, health benefits, and visual appeal. With the growth of agriculture and tourism in parks, the demand for specialty crops like black potatoes has been steadily increasing. These potatoes are not only delicious and nutritious, with a delicate, fragrant texture, but also offer health advantages such as cancer prevention and beauty enhancement. Their striking dark color makes them an attractive choice for both consumers and farmers. However, the cultivation area of black potatoes is still limited, and they are sold at a higher price—between 6 to 8 yuan per kilogram, which is 6 to 8 times that of regular potatoes.
**Cultivation Tips**
1. **Sprouting and Cutting**: About 20 to 30 days before planting, select high-quality seed potatoes and place them in a warm environment (around 20°C). Keep them moist and cover them with straw or grass to encourage sprouting. When the sprouts grow to the size of soybeans, move them to a sunny spot to harden off and promote strong growth. Two to three days before sowing, cut the seed potatoes into pieces, each weighing about 25 grams. Small pieces should be cut vertically, ensuring each piece has a top bud. For larger pieces, cut from the base, removing weak shoots. Arrange the buds properly, making sure each cut has a healthy eye. Always disinfect your knife with 75% alcohol to prevent disease transmission.
2. **Land Preparation**: Black potatoes have a relatively short growing cycle and require rich soil. Apply 3 to 5 cubic meters of organic manure per acre, along with 20 kg of diammonium phosphate, 20 kg of urea, and 10 kg of potassium sulfate. Till the soil thoroughly to ensure good drainage. Plant the seedlings 70 cm apart, with furrows 5 cm deep. Add phoxim granules to the furrows to control underground pests like wireworms. Space the plants 25 to 30 cm apart, aiming for around 3,500 plants per acre. After planting, firm the ridges and apply mulch film, followed by a herbicide spray to suppress weeds.
3. **Field Management**: As soon as the seedlings emerge, remove any weak or damaged ones and protect the remaining plants with a wetting agent to help them establish. Once the plants are well-established, foliar sprays can be used to promote early growth. During the flowering stage, remove the flower buds to direct energy toward tuber development. A foliar spray can also be applied to increase the size and quality of the potatoes. The main disease affecting black potatoes is late blight, which can be controlled by spraying a mixture of 64% antivirus solution diluted 600 times and a new high-fat film. Aphids and ladybugs can be managed using a 18% Lethburn solution diluted 1000 times, combined with the same high-fat film for added protection.
4. **Harvesting**: Harvest black potatoes based on market demand and crop maturity. Handle the tubers carefully during harvest to avoid bruising, which can affect their appearance and shelf life. Proper timing and care during this stage are crucial for maintaining product quality.
(China Plant Protection Network: Wei Linfei)
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