Determining the radiation use efficiency of potato using sunshine hour data: A simple and costless approach

Abstract

Aim of study: Radiation parameters and photoperiod influence potato biomass and tuber yield significantly. Lack of instrument facilities in developing countries is the main hindrance to estimate global solar radiation (GSR) and radiation use efficiency (RUE). Considering these facts, an experiment was conducted to estimate light extinction coefficient (K) and RUE using a simple but indirect approach that can be implied in any location lacking sophisticated instruments. Area of study: Field experiments were conducted in Kalyani, West Bengal, representing the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Material and methods: Angstrom-Prescott (A-P) equation was used to calculate GSR. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three dates of planting (DOP), 15th Nov, 29th Nov and 13th Dec, as main plot treatment and three potato cultivars (ˈKufri Suryaˈ, ˈKufri Chandramukhiˈ and ˈKufri Jyotiˈ) as sub-plot treatment. Leaf area indices and K values were used to determine intercepted PAR (IPAR) as well as RUE. Main results: The cumulative IPAR from emergence to harvest ranged 246-429 MJ m-2 depending on planting time and varieties. Irrespective of DOPs, the highest mean RUE (4.19 g MJ-1) was calculated in ˈKufri Chandramukhiˈ, showing that it used the radiation more efficiently that the other two cultivars (ˈKufri Suryaˈ= 3.75 g MJ-1 and ˈKufri Jyotiˈ= 3.14 g MJ-1). Research highlights: Statistical indices confirmed that the A-P model can be reliably used in the study region for estimation of GSR. This simple way to estimating RUE using bright sunshine hours data can be used in developing countries, where costly radiation instruments are not available.