Potato Review

20 POTATO REVIEW NOVEMBER 2021 BIOSTIMULANTS totalling 8l/ha, with a control area receiving the standard nutritional programme. Treatment resulted in an improvement in marketable yield in the 45mm+ specification range, by up to 24%, which equated to a 10t/ha yield increase. Alongside this, the trial looked to simplify the process by testing the pre- emergence action of applying biostimulants in a mix with liquid and starter fertiliser. Here, the marketable yield also improved, with a 29% increase in tuber numbers compared to the control group. Positive results for 2021 This season’s trials consisted of three programmes, with treatments applied to crops of Taurus and Piper, giving data for both crisping and general-purpose varieties. The trials compared applications of an early season 2l Fertiactyl starter, mixed with the liquid base fertiliser, a 6l, split dose Fertileader Vital once tuber initiation was under way, and a combination of the two, to give 8l total dose/ha. All of this was compared to a control area which received the usual nutrition programme. David said this year, results showed an increase in yield t/ha across the sites, delivering significant ROI. “The biggest yield lift was the combined applications, delivering an increase of 13.5%, which is an extra 6t/ha. This is the recommended approach with crispers, in other crops where the focus is not so much on size, such as salad potatoes we concentrate on lifting tuber numbers alone” he notes. “This programme cost around £101 at the current price. So, with the market price for potatoes at £200/t, the extra 6t/ ha achieved by applying both the starter and foliar based biostimulants would mean a grower would be making around £1,200/t, equating to a 12:1 ROI.” He adds the early application also provided a substantial lift on its own, with a 6.8% yield increase. “Although yield increase was smaller than last year, it’s worth noting the previous crops were 2nd year potatoes, so this season we planted into rested ground. What’s noticeable is that even in a good year, on good ground biostimulants delivered. They optimised the efficiency of input use, meaning the crop can better use the nitrogen applied.” Grower perspective on biostimulants Andrew Ollier farms at Froglane Farm, Cheshire, and is the Director of 3Shires Marketing. He runs a successful dairy, beef, and arable enterprise, growing several crops including potatoes. Biostimulants have been a part of Andrew’s business for the past 15 years, but it wasn’t until he was approached by Timac three years ago, that he considered using them on his potatoes. “The trials have allowed us to see the true impact that biostimulants can have on potatoes, particularly as we’re growing varieties that are prone to lower tuber numbers. We’ve been able to test a variety of scenarios, of which I can now take the best approach and apply it across the farm in future seasons. “We’ve definitely seen a positive impact in investing in biostimulants. Our crops are not only producing more tuber numbers and therefore yield, but also uniformity in the crop. If you’re on the fence about using them, my advice is always to just give it a go – in a stressful year, crops are protected and in a good year, performance in boosted, so to me, it’s a win-win,” Andrew said . “Using biostimulants is an added insurance policy to protect your crop against any stresses, such as extreme weather, nutrient deficiencies, or when having to apply nitrogen sparingly.” David Newton, Technical Advisor, Timac “We’ve definitely seen a positive impact in investing in biostimulants. Our crops are not only producing more tuber numbers and therefore yield, but also uniformity in the crop.” Andrew Ollier, Director, 3Shires Marketing