<p class="MDPI12title">Sustainable Land Management and Crop Protection: A Comparative Study of Integrated and Organic Potato Production Systems in Southern Poland

Research Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a multi-criteria assessment of the impact of farming systems (organic vs. integrated) and variable hydrothermal conditions on yield stability, tuber fractional structure, and quality parameters of seven potato cultivars in the Małopolska region between 2022 and 2024. The analysis aimed to identify genotypes with the highest plasticity in the context of adaptation to the Sustainable Land Management strategy. Methodology: A field experiment was conducted using a split-plot design. The scope of analyses included total and marketable yield, tuber size architecture, starch and dry matter yield and concentration. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and advanced variance component analysis were used to test the hypotheses, allowing for a precise determination of the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to phenotypic variability. Results: Potato productivity was strongly determined by the cultivation system; yields in the organic system were 20–57% lower compared to the integrated system. The main limiting ecological factors were Phytophthora infestans pressure and virus infections, the impact of which was modified by the natural resistance of the cultivars. The choice of system was shown to significantly differentiate starch and dry matter yield, highlighting the role of plant protection in optimizing the accumulation of reserve nutrients. The lack of a significant three-way interaction (S×V×Y) for quality traits indicates the high predictability of tuber technological parameters based on genotype selection alone. Conclusions: Organic potato production in the warming climate of Southern Poland is economically and environmentally viable, provided rigorous variety selection (e.g., Lavender) and the implementation of biological innovations. Research demonstrates that quality stability of the raw material is achievable even with reduced chemical inputs, which provides the foundation for building resilient and environmentally friendly food production models.