Transmission of Solar Radiation and Extinction Coefficient Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Galudra, Cipanas – West Java

Abstract

Potatoes are one of the important vegetable crops in Indonesia. In general, potato can grow in the tropics and subtropics. In an effort to develop this plant in Indonesia is necessary to study the environmental conditions suitable for the growth and development, in relation to climate variables. One of the important climatic variables is the solar radiation. The study was conducted in the Village of Galudra, Cipanas, West Java with the aim to find the proportion of radiation transmitted by the potato crop and canopy extinction coefficient. Transmission of radiation is the radiation energy that passes on the ground under the canopy while the canopy extinction coefficient is the rate of reduction of radiation by the plant canopy. Transmission of radiation is a function of LAI, where LAI higher LAI will result in reduced transmitted radiation. The canopy extinction coefficient and radiation interception (Qint) increased with LAI. This is because the ability of canopy to cover the soil surface decreases by which so much radiation escapes into the ground under the canopy.