Solanum tuberosum
Sunlight
Full sun — 6-8 hours minimum. Short day length promotes tuberization in most varieties.
Water
500-700 mm per crop. Consistent moisture critical during tuber initiation and bulking. Avoid waterlogging (promotes late blight and bacterial wilt).
Soil
Loose, well-drained, slightly acidic loam or sandy loam. pH 5.0-6.5. Heavy clay causes misshapen tubers.
Temperature
Optimal 15-20°C for tuber growth. Tuberization inhibited above 25°C in most varieties. Night temperatures below 15°C promote tuber development.
Humidity
Moderate. High humidity combined with cool temperatures creates ideal late blight conditions.
Season
Cool season crop — 90-120 days to maturity. In tropics, grown at higher elevations (>1,500 m) or during cool dry season.
Updated February 2026
¿Es esta Potato?
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Overview
The potato is the world's fourth most important food crop and the leading non-cereal food crop. It produces more food per unit of water and land than wheat or rice, making it critical for food security in land-scarce and water-limited regions. Potatoes are grown in over 150 countries, from sea level to 4,500 m in the Andes. They are rich in vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, and provide quality protein. In Africa, potato is the fastest-growing food crop, expanding rapidly in East African highlands (Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia) where conditions are ideal. The Irish Potato Famine (1845-1849), caused by late blight, killed over one million people and drove mass emigration — a stark reminder of the consequences of crop disease.
Plant Health
Potato is susceptible to 3 known diseases. Early detection is critical — use the CuraPlant app to scan leaves and get an instant AI diagnosis.
Tizón tardío de la papa
El tizón tardío de la papa (Phytophthora infestans) causa lesiones oscuras empapadas de agua en hojas y tallos, con esporulación blanca por debajo. Los tubérculos desarrollan pudrición marrón firme. Aplique aspersiones preventivas de mancozeb o clorotalonil desde el cierre de hileras, destruya follaje infectado antes de la cosecha, use variedades resistentes y almacene solo tubérculos libres de enfermedad.
Marchitez bacteriana del tomate
La marchitez bacteriana del tomate (Ralstonia solanacearum) causa marchitez súbita y rápida de plantas enteras sin amarillamiento. Tallos cortados colocados en agua exudan flujo bacteriano lechoso blanco. No hay cura química. Use variedades resistentes, rotación de cultivos con cultivos no solanáceos, injerto sobre portainjerto resistente y estricta desinfección. La bacteria persiste en suelo y agua de riego.
Marchitez por Fusarium del tomate
La marchitez por Fusarium del tomate (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) causa amarillamiento comenzando de un lado de la planta, marchitez y decoloración vascular marrón en tallos. El hongo persiste en el suelo por décadas. Maneje con variedades resistentes portando genes I, I-2, I-3, injerto sobre portainjerto resistente, rotación de cultivos y elevación del pH del suelo a 6,5-7,0.
Cultivation Guide
Use certified disease-free seed potatoes — never plant grocery store potatoes
Cut seed tubers to 40-60 g pieces with at least 2 eyes, cure 2 days before planting
Hill soil around stems when plants are 20-30 cm tall to prevent tuber greening
Apply balanced fertilization — potassium is critical for tuber quality
Begin late blight fungicide program at row closure before symptoms appear
Destroy (desiccate) foliage 2 weeks before harvest to set tuber skin
Companion Planting
Strategic companion planting reduces pest pressure, improves pollination, and can significantly increase yields.
Climate & Regions
Active climate zones for Potato are highlighted below.
Tropical
Suitable
Subtropical
Suitable
Temperate
Suitable
Mediterranean
Not typical
Highland
Suitable
Arid / Semi-arid
Not typical
Specific Zones & Regions
Common Questions
Potato grows best during the cool season crop — 90-120 days to maturity. in tropics, grown at higher elevations (>1,500 m) or during cool dry season.. It requires optimal 15-20°c for tuber growth. tuberization inhibited above 25°c in most varieties. night temperatures below 15°c promote tuber development. and full sun — 6-8 hours minimum. short day length promotes tuberization in most varieties.. In tropical regions with consistent warmth, it can often be grown year-round with proper irrigation.
Potato is commonly affected by Potato Late Blight, Tomato Bacterial Wilt, Tomato Fusarium Wilt. Regular crop monitoring, good air circulation, avoiding overhead irrigation, and using disease-resistant varieties are the most effective prevention strategies.
Potato grows best in loose, well-drained, slightly acidic loam or sandy loam. ph 5.0-6.5. heavy clay causes misshapen tubers.. For irrigation: 500-700 mm per crop. consistent moisture critical during tuber initiation and bulking. avoid waterlogging (promotes late blight and bacterial wilt).. Maintaining proper soil moisture without waterlogging is critical — Potato is sensitive to both drought stress and root rot from excess water.
Potato grows well alongside horseradish, marigold, bean. These companions help repel pests, improve pollination, or provide ground cover. Avoid planting near tomato, sunflower, cucumber, which can inhibit growth or share susceptibility to the same pests and diseases.
CuraPlant
Scan any leaf with your phone and get an instant AI diagnosis, treatment guide, and prevention plan — even offline.
