Plastic Mulching Film and Straw Return Alter Starch Physicochemical and Tuber Textural Properties of Intercropping Potatoes

To analyze the impact of intercropping, maize straw returning, plastic mulching, and different configurations on potato quality in southwest China, a three-factor split-plot field experiment was designed to investigate the effects of crop management practices on the starch physicochemical properties and textural properties for two potato cultivars (Mira and Huayu-5). Results indicated that intercropping, maize straw returning, and plastic mulching reduced tuber dry matter, total starch, and amylose content, thereby decreasing the hardness of steamed tubers. Plastic mulching and maize straw returning increased starch granule size, promoted thermal properties, improved pasting properties, and increased adhesiveness and cohesiveness. The potato/maize relay intercropping increased the thermal properties, pasting viscosities, adhesiveness, and cohesiveness, with stronger effects observed in Mira compared to Huayu-5. The combination of intercropping with plastic film mulching and straw returning reduces tuber hardness while enhancing tuber adhesiveness and cohesiveness.