Top tips for safe seed spud storage
Potato planting could be a tricky time this season with most soils still wet and cold. David Jones looks at some key tipsahead of when conditions improve and field work finally starts
Seed potatoes should be unloaded into boxes or given good ventilation after delivery on farm to prevent diseases such as blackleg in what is likely to be a stop-start planting season.
If seed stocks are left on farm for much longer than a week there is likely to be a build-up of bacterium leading to blackleg, gangrene or other rot diseases.
Matthew Smallwood, head of potato consulting at SAC Consulting, says in what may prove to be a “catchy” planting season, it is essential to get air around the seed tubers.
“Even with new bags there is a risk of condensation forming in the bags so it is important to get the seed into boxes and possibly ventilate,” Mr Smallwood adds.
Other agronomists agree that seed potatoes need to be decanted on arrival at the farm, if possible. If growers are happy with the quality, then they should put the seed in boxes, blow dry air across and store at around 3C, they advise.
In addition, they warn that if left in bags then seed potatoes could sprout and be difficult to unload.
They point out that growers should avoid any contact with CIPC (chlorpropham) sprout suppressants in storage that could have been used for ware potatoes.
Some growers will not have boxes, so independent agronomist John Sarup at Spud Agronomy advises them to stand the bags on pallets off cold floors and make sure there is airspace around the pallets.
He also suggests washing a sample to see what is really going on with the seed, as all previous seed potato inspections are done on a dirty crop.
“Take a small sample, wash it and leave it in the sunlight on an office window to check on germination and any signs of rots and skin diseases developing,” says Mr Sarup.
He adds that he has seen more powdery scab around this season on seed stocks, but little black scurf and skin spot, saying that there is a limited time to make complaints to seed suppliers.
Those in the seed trade agree that growers should look after pototo seed deliveries once they arrive on farm.
“When the seed is delivered make sure it is de-bagged into a cold store and do not attempt to plant too early,” advises John Addams-Williams, a manager at Greenseed.
Agronomists say growers should not attempt to plant too early in wet and cold soils, with April seen as the optimum month for planting.
“Don’t force planting, beds continue to be poor with imperfect drainage, so it is better to wait for warmer and drier conditions,” says Mr Smallwood.
He points out that some varieties such as Saxon and Vales Sovereign need soil temperature of 8C as they can have emergence problems, while other varieties should be happy with 6C.
Mr Sarup says the two key factors with potatoes are seed quality and cultivations, and there is a suggestion that growers could be overworking soils, which might later slump.
“We have to be flexible, we can be making some soils too fine at planting time,” he says.
He advises growers not to panic, wait for April and then aim to get 100% crop cover by the year’s longest day in June to make most of the summer sunlight.
