Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW JULY/AUGUST 2021 17 BORON underrated micronutrient photosynthesis. To move the sucrose from the leaves to the tubers, boron forms a complex with sucrose, bis-sucrose-borate. “Boron not only encourages the correct hormones to direct the plant to focus on root and tuber development but ensures the plant can ‘pull down’ su cient sucrose from the leaves to pack those tubers full of starch,” said David. Getting su cient boron into the potato plant can be di cult, compounded by a very ne line between de ciency and toxicity. David pursued a novel approach: Formulate a low-rate product to avoid toxicity but combine it with a stimulant to trigger the plant into absorption and use. at’s the scienti c principle underpinning Damu, Levity’s high e ciency boron product. Used during periods of excess vegetative growth, it ‘trains’ the plant to focus on root growth. Independent agronomist, John Sarup of Spud Agronomy, said: “Imagine you’re squeezing the dry matter content contained within the canopy down into the tubers – that’s a good way to describe the e ect of Damu.” “It’s a useful trigger for bulking and has the added advantage of opening up the canopy – something that growers see as very valuable in these post-diquat times. More importantly, it delivers a signi cant boost to dry matter, raising and evening out levels across the crop.” John recommends two regimes, according to crop habit. “For late-bulking indeterminate varieties, aim for weekly Damu applications of 1l/ha starting seven weeks before desiccation. More determinate varieties will respond better to a single application of 5l/ha, two weeks pre-desiccation.” Damu’s proven e ect on dry-matter content proved a decisive factor for Spud Agronomy client Fylde Fresh and Fabulous. e Preston- based rm is one of the UK’s largest eld- to-fork potato producers and processors, growing more than 850 acres to supply fresh chips and foodservice potato products. Farm manager Sam Paterson said: “We’ve a relentless focus on dry matter and uniform maturity. We need an even rate across the crop to deliver a consistent product. If the dry matter isn’t right, we don’t have a crop. “So when we had a eld of Ramos that was harvest-ready but disappointing on dry matter, we saw the opportunity to apply Damu and followed John’s 5l/ha recommendation. Results were fantastic. Within 10 days, we saw dry matter improve by a couple of percentage points, while its e ect on the canopy was like we’d used diquat. “I like the concept behind the product, particularly that it provides exibility in being able to tweak it to t your own situation.” Crop Scientist David Marks Agronomist John Sarup “We’ve a relentless focus on dry matter and uniform maturity. We need an even rate across the crop to deliver a consistent product.” Sam Paterson, Farm manager