Effective killing of volunteer potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers by soil frost control using agrometeorological information—An adaptive countermeasure to climate change in a cold region

摘要: Abstract In the Tokachi region of Japan, soil frost depth has been decreasing. Outbreaks volunteer potatoes caused by overwinter survival unharvested potato tubers have become a severe nuisance. Some farmers started snow plowing (yukiwari in Japanese) to deepen and thereby freeze death. However, system relies on farmer's intuition experience sometimes they fail completely kill tubers. To establish reliable control, we implemented farm testing vertical distribution effects control ratio. The attaining adequate using accumulation termed as control. Furthermore, compared tuber based estimated numerical temperature model farmers’ voluntary effort. Most are distributed at 0–0.15 m depths. target was set 0.30 m relation between killing depth: which decreases critical −3 °C from previous study. Soil remarkably decreased less than 0.5% number if exceeded 0.30 m. Consequently, confirmed appropriate for almost complete elimination. enhanced penetration more deeply killed done effort, suggesting advantages decision-making depth. is attracting attention method that can greatly reduce outbreak potatoes. strategy minimizes climate change related risk.