The effect of polypropylene fleece covering on the yield of early potatoes

In 2000–2003 the effect of white fleece Pegas-agro 17 UV on the dynamics of yield formation in irrigated early potatoes (Adora and Impala varieties) was investigated in an early potato production region of the Czech Republic. The fleece was placed over the crops for 49 days (2000), 35 days (2001), 37 days (2002) or 45 days (2003) after the planting. The fleece significantly increased the yield of commercial tubers at early harvest (31. 5. 2000 to 121.3%, 7. 6. 2001 to 133.7% and 31. 5. 2002 to 134.5% in comparison with the control and on average of both varieties). Differences between the control variant and the fleece variant were insignificant during harvest at the end of June. In later sequential harvests differences between the fleece variant and the control variant diminished and at the end of June they were already insignificant. Between the varieties a greater yield effect was found in Impala variety in comparison with Adora variety. Favourable effects of the fleece on soil temperatures were demonstrated.