Potato Review

28 POTATO REVIEW JULY/AUGUST 2020 ADVERTORIAL M any plant physiologists believe that potato crop yield is limited by the source of photosynthate as opposed to the number of developing tubers. When considering what is important in producing as many high quality, marketable potatoes as possible we should ensure that: 1. Plants quickly produce a full canopy of leaves 2. is canopy is healthy, maintaining ‘greenness’ throughout tuber bulking 3. e plant can move sugars from leaf to developing tubers Applying fertilizer prior to, or ‘placed’ at planting, will greatly assist with Step 1. 90% of incoming solar radiation is intercepted by the green leaves once the canopy reaches Leaf Area I 4. is is converted by photosynthesis into ATP (chemical energy), and used to produce sugars. ese sugars maintain leaf canopy, and are transported to the developing tubers as they ‘bulk’. During tuber ‘bulking’, yield is increasing at up Why a healthy canopy is essential for top quality potatoes to 5 t/ha/week. It is now essential to minimise the energy required to maintain a canopy, by reducing plant respiration to a minimum. Under stress, either biotic (insects, pathogens) or abiotic (drought, heat etc), the respiration rate increases. It is crucial to manage these stresses out of the production system. For biotic stress good pest, disease and nutrient management is the answer. Abiotic stress relief can be aided by using biostimulants. Yara Analytical data shows phosphate, potassium and magnesium are common nutrient de ciencies in potatoes. Phosphate is important in the transport of sugars from the leaf down to the ‘bulking’ tubers. Magnesium, the central component of chlorophyll, keeps the leaf canopy greener for longer. Potassium helps the plant regulate water, move nutrients from roots to the leaves, and sucrose to the ‘bulking’ tubers. By removing both biotic and abiotic stress you will ensure a healthy, well-functioning potato canopy, therefore maximising the important ‘tuber bulking’ period, resulting in highly marketable yields. Recommended action: During full canopy For more information contact Tom Decamp on 07831 282096 tom.decamp@yara.com www.yara.co.uk MIEDEMA MERCER MACHINERY Potato Handling and Irrigation Specialists Miedema Mercer Machinery Limited, Unit 2 Bowley Court Farms Hope-Under-Dinmore Leominster Herefordshire HR6 0PL Email sales@downsuk.com Telephone 01568 797601 www.downsuk.com DOWNS Miedema Mercer Machinery Delighted to bring Downs Innovation & Performance to the UK!