Research notes – potatoes

Independent trials specialists, NDSM, have carried out trials on a range of potato varieties.

In every situation, these trials produced positive yield responses, most of which have been statistically significant.

Location	Variety	% Increase	Yield t/ha
Thirsk	Shepody	7%	1.67 t/ha
East Butterwick , Lincs	P Dell	26%	1.89 t/ha*
Headley Hall, Yorks	P Dell	27%	1.37 t/ha*
Edgmond, Shropshire	P Dell	3%	1.97 t/ha
East Butterwick	P Dell	9%	1.87 t/ha
Average		14%	1.75 t/ha
* Low yields from un-irrigated trials in very dry year.

‘Bio-suppression’ of Potato Cyst Nematodes

The ‘nematistat’ effect of Maxicrop has been examined in a series of laboratory controlled tests and also in the field.

While the exact mechanism of this has not been identified, it has been confirmed that by stimulating rooting, Maxicrop helps the crop recover from nematode damage and that various bio-stimulants within Maxicrop also have a direct effect on the nematode.

Field Control of Nematodes – NDSM

Trials on PCN infected land tested the use of Maxicrop as a soil drench and formulated as granules at two sites – E Butterwick, N Lincs and Headley Hall, Yorkshire.

The Maxicrop treatments reduced the number of J2s recorded per g of root.

Most effective Maxicrop treatment was an experimental granule, which is currently not available

Vydate produced the biggest yield improvement across the two sites of 13%.The Maxicrop Granule gave an 11% improvement, the drench 9%.

Maxicrop is not acting as a pesticide, leading to death of the nematodes, but simply inhibiting the pest’s ability to locate and attack potato roots. The product has a nematistat, not nematicidal effect.

For a complete Technical Dossier of all our many potato trials,
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