Agronomists, scientists and soil specialists share practical knowledge gleaned from trials at potato demonstration day hosted by Hutchinsons.
AGRONOMISTS’ trials of potential solutions for current potato grower concerns were the focus of a recent demonstration day held at Worth Farms, Holbeach.
Ongoing research on wireworm, PCN management, crop safety of post emergence herbicides, nutrition trials, plus updates about root lesion nematodes were some of the topics covered at the the Hutchinsons Potato Demonstration Day.
Heavy rainfall the previous day meant it was not possible to see the demonstration plots in the field so the talks took place in one of the farm’s yards.
Hutchinsons Root Crop Technical Manager Darryl Shailes highlighted some of the field trials being done by the company to assess the impact of different strategies on wireworm populations in a crop of Maris Piper. Simon Faulkner of SDF Agriculture updated delegates on the PCN varietal resistance trials assessing a mix of older and newer varieties. PhD student Vongai Chekanai of Harper Adams spoke about cover crop trials, Michael Rodger of Richard Austin Agriculture updated delegates on the herbicide crop safety trials being held on 26 varieties, while Crop Nutrition Specialist Rob Jewers and Head of Agroecology Ed Brown shared their insights.
A full report of the day’s talks will be included in the September issue of British Potato Review. Sign up here to receive a free copy if you don’t already subscribe.
