Early potatoes in Italy with particular reference to Sicily

In Italy, the early potato cultivars of greatest economic significance are those grown off-season, in a cycle which is generally much earlier than the typical spring-summer cycle. Of the area given over to early potatoes in I taly, more than 90% is in the southern regions. The economic value of this production is due to its extraseasonality, which allows much of the early p otato harvest to be sold on foreign markets. In Sicily, more than 5000 ha o f potato are grown, with a high frequency of potato crops on small plots. E arly potatoes are often rotated with various fruits and vegetables, and the length of the cycle is variable, from 100 to 140 days. Choosing the most s uitable cultivar is the most complex aspect of early potato growing. Of the criteria used, tuber growth rate has shown most validity. In Sicily two cu ltivars are mainly grown: Sieglinde and the more recent but well-establishe d Spunta. Agricultural techniques used for early potato cultivation vary de pending on the area. An overview of the agronomic practices used in differe nt areas is given in this paper.