Harnessing Soil Diversity: Innovative Strategies for Potato Blight Management in Central-Eastern Poland

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The problem of fighting potato blight is important for growers, especially in Poland, which is in the top ten among global potato producers.
The work contains detailed (26 pages) results of 3-year research on potato cultivation in a selected area. Varieties, climatic and soil conditions were taken into account. However, everything included there, especially the conclusions, does not bring anything new to agronomists. This is a case study, which makes any generalizations impossible. Moreover, every farmer at a basic level knows these recommendations. In every agriculturally developed country, and certainly in European countries, there are numerous agricultural advisory centers. These are usually state institutions, so you can receive free information about which variety is appropriate for a given region.
The mechanical aspect was completely omitted. Today, the so-called Agriculture 4.0, which can collect information from work performed on the field's content with an accuracy of several centimeters. In turn, metrological factors are unpredictable and burdened with enormous uncertainty. It's hard to rely on them. Only inherent factors should be taken into account, and potato varieties should be selected anew each year.

Author Response

Hello,

Please find attached pdf.

Regards

Piotr

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Comments on land-3047253,

The manuscript tackles a significant agricultural issue—potato blight management—within the context of soil diversity in Central-Eastern Poland. Given the global impact of potato blight, this study is pertinent to both local and international agricultural communities. The focus on integrated and ecological production systems across different soil types adds an innovative dimension to the research, highlighting the importance of tailoring agricultural practices to local conditions. Overall the MS was well written and I have only some minor comments.

L131, Providing a more detailed justification for the selection of specific potato varieties and soil types would strengthen the methodology section.

L371, While the manuscript includes statistical analyses, a more detailed explanation of the chosen methods and their appropriateness for the data would be beneficial. Specifying the software used for these analyses could also enhance reproducibility.

L351, what is “0,166” in Table 5?

Figs. 4 and 5, The fonts, colors and other formats of the pictures are different, please keep them consistent.

 

The Conclusion section is dense and could benefit from simplification to enhance readability. Highlighting the key findings more succinctly would improve its impact. Especially for L848-860.

Author Response

Hello,

Please find attached pdf.

Regards

Piotr

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Review report

Harnessing Soil Diversity: Innovative Strategies for Potato Blight Management in Central-Eastern Poland

General

The article presents the results of a field experiment, in which using soil diversity, innovative strategies for potato blight management in Central-Eastern Poland were analyzed. The authors found that the integrated practices notably delayed the onset of late blight by 16 days and extended the critical infection period by 17% compared to their organic counterparts, it is also increased total production (49%) and commercial production (52%). Location and soil conditions have a significant impact on potato yield and the spread of potato blight. Soil properties and the adaptation of varieties to local conditions can contribute to increased productivity and stability in potato production. This study highlights the crucial role of soil diversity in shaping resilient farming practices. I believe that the study is relevant to the aims and scope of the “Land”. However, the manuscript needs major revision before it can be accepted for publication in this journal.

 

Specific comments will follow below.

- Abstract: The experimental treatment in the abstract is not clear, and readers cannot understand what integrated and organic production systems are respectively, which needs to be clarified in the abstract.

L27-28, “Location and soil conditions have a significant impact on potato yield and the spread of potato blight.” It is too general and needs to be refined. Which indicators in soil conditions have a significant impact on potato yield and the spread of potato blight?

L30-31, Please give a conclusion that can guide local production practices.

- Keyworlds:

The first and second keyword is suggested to be modified as “potato and potato blight, crop production systems” , delete “ecological farming”, and leave the rest unchanged.

- Introduction:

L48-50, L57-59, Here are two repetitions of the same idea, and to repeat twice is to emphasize something? It's not necessary.

L52-53, L56-57, Again, repeating the same point, why?

L64-65, “Recent focus on the exploitation of agricultural lands and the necessity for sustainable agricultural practices has centered on several key areas?” This section should not take up so much space, is not very relevant to the thesis, and it is recommended that it be condensed and streamlined, leaving only what is relevant to the manuscript, or simply deleted.

- Materials and Methods:  

What is the basis for the design of the Integrated System and the Ecological System? Why were they designed?

- Results

The experiment was designed for two systems, Integrated System and Ecological System, please add a photo of potatoes from both systems at the same time period in Figure 1?

Figure 2 shows potato late blight in ecological and integrated cropping systems, and Figures 3 to 8 show different varieties of potato late blight. It is recommended that the pictures be combined into a single figure, which will help the reader to better understand the results of the experiment.

L444, The second column in Table 6 is “Resistance of potato varieties to late blight on a 9-degree scale.” Please indicate in the notes to the table whether from 1-9 potatoes are becoming more or less resistant to late blight.

- Discussion: The discussion is lengthy and needs to be further condensed, focusing mainly on the effects of crop production systems, potato varieties, geographic location and diversity of soil conditions on potato late blight.

- Conclusion: A concise and accurate conclusion is required. The conclusion section should state main results and clear conclusion, please reorganize.

- References: The format of the references is confused, please check one by one according to the requirements of the journal.

Author Response

Hello,

Please find attached pdf.

Regards

Piotr

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors modified the manuscript and answered my doubts. This does not change much for the substantive assessment. However, the enormous contribution of work should be appreciated. Therefore, I will not make any further comments.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Accept the current version.