Cultivation Practices of Parallel Cropping of Potato and Pumpkin
Parallel cropping is a farming practice where two or more crops are planted and harvested on the same piece of land at the same time. One of the popular parallel cropping combinations is potato and pumpkin. Both crops have distinct growing requirements, but if handled appropriately, the combination is beneficial to farmers in many ways.
1. Land Preparation and Soil Fertility
The first step in parallel cropping of potato and pumpkin is to ensure the land is well prepared and the soil is fertile. Both crops require well-drained soil with a soil pH of 5.0 to 6.5. The manure should be applied at the rate of 20- 30 tonnes per hectare, and phosphate and potassium fertilizers should also be applied to ensure the soil has the necessary nutrients.
2. Planting and Spacing
After land preparation, the potatoes are planted first since they require a longer growing period than the pumpkins. Planting of potatoes can be done either by seed or stem tubers. Once the potatoes are established, the pumpkin crops are established in the same bed by the seed. The seeds of pumpkins should be spaced 2 feet apart from each other, while potatoes should be a foot apart from each other. The pumpkin vines grow along the ground, which is why they should be spaced appropriately to prevent overcrowding.
3. Irrigation and Weed Control
Both the pumpkin and potato crops need ample water to mature. Irrigation should be done regularly, ensuring the crops get enough water, especially during the dry seasons. Weeds can be controlled through manual weeding or by using herbicides. Farmers should consider practicing minimal tillage to reduce soil disturbance, reduce weed growth, and decrease the cost of labor.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Parallel cropping of potatoes and pumpkins should be done with adequate disease and pest control measures. The major pest that affects pumpkin crops is the pumpkin beetle, which can be controlled by using insecticides. Potato crops are prone to late blight and should be sprayed with appropriate fungicides to prevent the spread of the disease. Additionally, crop rotation practices will help to minimize disease incidence.
5. Harvesting and Storage
The pumpkin crop is ready for harvesting 110 to 120 days after planting, while the potatoes take around 100 to 120 days. The potatoes are usually dug from the ground, and the pumpkins are cut from the vines and left in the field for a few days to allow the skin to harden. After harvesting, the crops should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent damage.
In Conclusion
The parallel cropping of potato and pumpkin is a sustainable farming practice, which can result in a higher yield per unit area than a single crop. It also helps reduce the risk of crop failure and maintains soil fertility. Farmers should, however, be diligent in the implementation of correct crop management practices to avoid pest and disease outbreaks. It is essential to remember that care must be taken in land preparation and soil fertility, planting, irrigation, weed and pest control measures, harvested, and crop storage practices.