SEASONAL FACTORS MEAN UK POTATO GROWERS NEED TO BE ON THE BALL, SAY EXPERTS
THERE are positive reports about British potato seed crop yields and quality this year, but seasonal factors mean tubers could be threatened by disease.
Seed potato growers are reminded of the importance of timing when using a fungicide seed treatment, with best efficacy achieved when products applied as soon as practically possible after harvest.
In Britain’s two key seed growing areas of Yorkshire and Scotland, reported yields are high and quality good, but the season has not been without its challenges.
Certis Belchim’s Yorkshire-based Technical Manager David Peach says growers on the Wolds had a straightforward desiccation period this year, with most catching crops with a flail and subsequent sprays at just the right time.
However, dull and damp weather set in soon after, which slowed the process of skin set. More recently, wetter conditions have hampered the task of getting crops lifted and into store in good condition.
Further north, mixed weather across Scotland inevitably resulted in a mixed picture at harvest, with some growers lifting their entire potato area in record time owing to warm and dry September conditions in Fife, Perthshire and Angus.
However, above average rainfall in Morayshire and Aberdeenshire made haulm destruction timing tricky, delaying skin set. With wet weather arriving in late September and continuing into October, growers have been tempted to harvest before skins are set.
Gavin Prentice of SAC Consulting says in the warmer and drier areas, it was more difficult to avoid damage at harvest and this will allow disease to get into tubers more readily, with dry rot, watery wound rot, pink rot and bacterial rot risk all increased.
Where growers have rushed to get on with lifting without adequate skin set, the risk of damage is also acute and elevates risk of disease ingress.
See the November issue of British Potato Review for post-harvest and store management advice, how to take a preventative approach and grading shed hygiene. If you don’t already receive a copy of the magazine, or free digital copy, you can subscribe here.
PREPARING AND PLANNING FOR POTATO STORAGE
