Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW MAY/JUNE 2023 23 HEAT STRESS Proven heat protection for your crops Manufacturing bio-based solutions for the future of modern farming Biostimulant 07891 582 886 Crop Smith.indd 1 27/04/2023 10:36 2022 Lincolnshire potato trials Independent, scienti c trials were conducted in maincrop potato cv. ‘Melody’ in Lincolnshire in 2022. e treatment consisted of a simple programme of a seaweed extract biostimulant, CS1, applied in-furrow, followed by six low volume foliar sprays of the same product at regular intervals throughout the growing season. During the 2022 growing season, the UK experienced three heat waves, one in each month of June, July and August, which were crucial tuber formation and bulking periods for this crop. e impact of the prolonged heat stress was minimised in the CS1-treated plants and the results demonstrated a nal yield increase that was signi cant and considerable at 29.2%, equivalent to an extra 15 tonnes per hectare. Improved Skin Finish A further trial in Norfolk with Russet Burbank delivered a similarly impressive yield increase of 40%. In this case, CS1 foliar sprays were combined with other biostimulants, including a microbial treatment. A clear improvement in skin nish was observed where 43% of the untreated control were a ected by black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani), but only 6% of the treated crop showed any symptoms. ese results con rmed that seaweed-based biostimulants can reduce potato yield losses to abiotic stress and improve crop quality. Instead of shutting down and going into protectionmode, the potato plant is able to continue accumulating biomass despite heat stress conditions. Excess heat can be devastating and causes substantial crop losses around the world. e frequency and magnitude of heat stress episodes are intensifying due to global climate change and we need to adapt. Understanding and implementing e ective methods to mitigate stressful growing conditions is now a priority for farmers and growers across the UK. Typical symptoms in untreated tubers (left) vs treated tubers (right).