Potato growers have been feeling the heat
This hot dry summer has been a tough one for potato growers.
We went into this season in a very healthy position in terms of water availability. As the heatwave extends the issue for growers is their capacity to irrigate.
A further challenge is that evaporation has been outstripping the rate at which growers can get moisture back into the soil.
Irrigation is absolutely vital at the moment to keep the soil moisture deficit from rising too high, so the best advice would be to top up little and often. There is no point putting on significant quantities of water only to see your efforts literally evaporate into the air.
Potato growers are extremely resourceful, and all will be taking sensible measures to ensure they are using water in a targeted and effective way.
Nobody’s systems are set up for a full growing season without rain. Rain water has that X-factor that the crop loves, it has a lasting benefit.
Growers will be making tough decisions at the moment on which crops to prioritise.
At our Strategic Farm events Dr Mark Stalham, Senior Research Associate at NIAB CUF, has reviewed the use of nitrogen in soil and has given guidance on application at this crucial point.
Dr Stalham, said: “If the lack of water continues, nitrogen uptake will be slowed. We are looking at extremes with dry conditions and reduced N availability and uptake by the crop. The best advice would be to apply water, little but often, to increase the availability of what is currently in the soil.
“There can be a temptation to apply N to boost crop growth and darken leaf colour, however in some crops this will only increase canopy growth and have little or no impact on yield, and can delay skinset where canopies are defoliated whilst still green and active."
Rain is forecast this weekend, but if little or none comes he says it’s important that growers irrigate where possible to promote growth and avoid the potential damage from crops developing secondary growth, where tubers cease growing and then recommence growth following rainfall resulting in cracked, misshapen or sprouted tubers.
Dr Rob Clayton is Sector Strategy Director for Potatoes, AHDB
