Irish potato is a cool weather crop which belongs to the Solanaceae family, whose other members include tomatoes, capsicums and egg plants, among others. In East Africa, it is one of the most consumed produce, acting as a staple food as well as a cash crop, and its production has been growing rapidly due to increased urbanization and fast food industries. Irish potatoes can be mashed, made into French fries or baked and serve as good complements to a wide range of meals.

Health and nutritional benefits of irish potato
Irish potatoes are a rich source of nutrition and energy as they are rich in vitamins, minerals and essential organic compounds. Some of the benefits include the following;

• Rich in iron, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and zinc which are essential in building and maintaining bone structure and strength.
• Contain significant quantities of fibre which helps in lowering the total amount of cholesterol in the blood thus reducing the risk of heart diseases.
• Rich in choline which helps with memory, brain development and muscle movement besides other benefits.
• Have folate which is important in DNA synthesis and repair.
• Source of vitamin B6 which plays a key role in energy metabolism by breaking down carbohydrates and protein into glucose and amino acids respectively, which are easily absorbed into the body.
• Good source of vitamin C and compounds like carotenoids and flavonoids which act as antioxidants.

Irrigation

Irish potatoes are very sensitive to water stress especially during the middle and late stages of growth, and this can cause production of misshapen tubers and low yields. Soil moisture content should therefore be maintained at a relatively higher level in order to promote optimal production. Weed control Weeds cause significant losses as they compete for growth factors like nutrients and water and harbour pathogens which could attack the crop. Proper weed control should therefore be done in order to give the crop a competitive advantage.