ANDREW THOMAS SAW A 20% POTATO YIELD INCREASE AFTER APPLYING A BIOSTIMULANT FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST YEAR.
AS warmer weather and drier conditions have led to a significant increase in maincrop potato planting in the past month, specialists at Corteva Agriscience are now urging growers to consider the role biologicals could play in their 2024 nitrogen strategy.
Strong results last season were demonstrated by BlueN, Corteva’s foliar-applied biostimulant, which captures nitrogen from the air and converts it into ammonium. After many field trials in the UK and across Europe, potato growers experienced their first full year using the biostimulant in 2023.
Cornish potato grower Andrew Thomas saw a 20% increase in yield after applying the product for the first time last year. Andrew grows vegetables at his 24-hectare farm in St Hilary, Cornwall, and admits he wasn’t sold on the idea of biological treatments initially.
“I’m probably a bit traditional and set in my ways but I couldn’t believe the results,” he said.
But after trailing a one-hectare block he noticed a difference in the crop and decided to apply the product across more of the farm. He sprayed some of his main crop of Mozart potatoes, applying BlueN at 333g/ha at the point when the crop was meeting down the rows.
“I sprayed one field but I didn’t spray the other because I ran out of time – I wish I had now,” he said. “We could see the difference in the size of the tubers, the quality and the yield.
“Spring last year was quite cold and wet, so the potatoes were looking a bit stressed. After I applied BlueN I couldn’t see much difference for a fortnight, but after that I could tell they’d picked up more nitrogen – I could see a difference in the foliage.
“It increased yield by at least 20%, which equated to about 2.5t/ha. I have told many fellow growers about the experience I had because it exceeded all expectations.”
The optimal time for application is between growth stages BBCH 25 to 33.
BlueN enters the plant through leaf stomata and moves throughout the plant to photosynthetic cells including the areas of new growth.
“Once the bacteria have established in-between the cells, they start the nitrogen fixing cycle, delivering ammonium to the plant,” says Iuliia Kovalova, Biologicals Field Technical Manager at Corteva. “This means that as the crop grows, the bacteria continuously provide supplemental nitrogen to the plants.”
The bacteria also have chromophores that reflect light towards chloroplasts, intensifying photosynthesis and increasing the synthesis of nutrients for use in plant growth.
“Applying correctly and in the right conditions is key to getting successful colonisation which will result in good product performance,” Iuliia adds. “Ensure the crop is not stressed and temperatures are over 10 C (and less than 30 C). BlueN is a living organism, so it has to be used soon after the pack is opened and mixed in the sprayer tank..”
Photo: A freshly planted potato field
