Sound science is way to top profit from potatoes
Sound science is way to top profit from potatoes
By Andrew Blake
SOUND science is vital for producing the more consistent potato crops demanded by todays increasingly sophisticated markets, claims a new British Potato Council research review.
"Understanding how potatoes grow, determines how to grow potatoes," is the key quote from the 137-page Potato Agronomy document, says Hereford grower and former BPC R&D committee chairman, John Chinn.
Applying the reviews principles and messages could help cut the £33m lost each year to poor tuber size, disease, surface damage, weight loss and bruising, says the BPCs Helen Priestley.
Produced over three years by Eric Allen of Cambridge University Farm and the late Keith Scott of Nottingham University in association with ADASs Bill Parker, the review covers over 70 years of research.
Several commonly held misconceptions are challenged, including rooting depth and trial results and new guidance is given on scab irrigation and tuber ageing (see stories below).
Although early work shows potato roots can penetrate to more than 1m (3ft), potatoes have been referred as a shallow-rooted crop since 1926, says Mr Chinn.
The need for statistically significant trials when assessing benefit claims for minor elements and growth promoters is also highlighted. In an average 50t/ha crop treatment differences must exceed 3t/ha to be valid, notes BPC R&D director Mike Storey.
Available as a booklet or a searchable CD, the review is free to levy payers. "If you havent seen it ask your agronomist what he thinks of it," says BPC agronomist Rob Clayton.
AGRONOMY REVIEW
• Three-year research study.
• Understanding growth key.
• Practical & market implications.
• Guide to future work.
• Cost £124,000.
BPC priorities
The review pinpoints four key areas for future research:
• Disease epidemiology – blackleg, powdery scab & black scurf.
• Bruising.
• Soil nitrogen supply & rotational nutrition.
• Crop growth & development.
The relevance to potatoes of the RB209 Soil Nitrogen Supply system, based on cereal needs, must also be questioned, notes Mr Chinn.