The Optimum Planting Time and Cropping Pattern of Potatoes and Other Horticultural Commodities based on Water Balance in Solok, Indonesia

Many mountainous regions in Indonesia have been utilized for potato cultivation. But location the cultivation is mainly a rainfed agriculture, which greatly depend on weather condition. Lembah Gumanti Solok, West Sumatra main potato-growing area, faced low productivity during dry season. Therefore, efforts to optimize production area remains research challenge. This study aims toidentify optimum cropping calendar and other horticultural commodities 2018-2021. We used water balance approach derive daily availability at field level. The was identify planting time pattern of 2018-2023 dekadal (10-day) interval. results showed that most suitable patternvaried annually. In 2018-2019, (in October 1st 10-day) – shallots April chilies July 3rd 10-day). For 2020-2021, best November March August findings reveal determined each commodity.