Potato

Description
The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a versatile, nutrient-rich tuber and a global staple crop. Originating in the Andes, it thrives in diverse climates and is a dietary cornerstone due to its adaptability and nutritional value.


Life Cycle

 	
Planting: Grown from "seed potatoes" (tubers with eyes), planted in well-drained soil during cool seasons.
 	
Sprouting & Vegetative Growth: Shoots emerge in 2-4 weeks, developing into leafy plants. Roots and stolons (underground stems) form.
 	
Tuber Initiation: As daylight hours shift (shorter days in some varieties), the plant redirects energy to stolons, which swell into tubers.
 	
Flowering: Produces small flowers (inedible berries follow, containing toxic alkaloids)—Tuber growth peaks during this stage.
 	
Maturation: Foliage yellows and dies back, signaling tuber maturity. The skin thickens for storage readiness.

Harvesting Time

 	
New Potatoes: Harvested 60-90 days post-planting, with thin skins and tender texture.
 	
Mature Potatoes: Collected 90-150 days later, once foliage dies. In temperate regions, harvest occurs before frost. Timing varies by variety (e.g., Russets vs. Yukon Golds) and climate.
Harvesting Time


Potatoes are heavy feeders, requiring balanced fertilization:

 	
Nitrogen (N): Promotes leafy growth; excess delays tuber formation.
 	
Phosphorus (P): Supports root and tuber development.
 	
Potassium (K): Enhances disease resistance and tuber quality.
Sustainable practices include crop rotation (e.g., with legumes to replenish soil nitrogen) and organic mulching.