Innovative ways to produce potatoes will be showcased by crop trials at a new industry event next month.
The Transformative Reduced Input in Potatoes (TRIP) project has taken three trial crop plots at the Potato Days UK event, which will be held on 4-5 September at Dyson Farming, Nocton, Lincolnshire.
Funded by Innovate UK, the TRIP programme is exploring regenerative approaches to revitalise farm soil organic matter. All aspects of the project will be on show over the three trial plots.
The plots will showcase low input late blight resistant varieties, minimal cultivation planting, optimised nutrient formulations as well as the use of aphid predator attracting plants and in-field greenhouse gas monitoring.
Additionally, it focuses on finding solutions to tackle the environmental challenge posed by greenhouse gas emissions in the UK’s potato farming industry, with a particular emphasis on reducing the notable levels of CO2 and N2O emissions.
Crop Plot 8 will focus on reduced nitrogen and phosphate inputs by combining optimised foliar nutrient programmes with greatly reduced fertiliser inputs. It comes under the watchful eye of Simon Fox from Emerald Research.
The project is also investigating the potential for reducing agrochemicals applied to seed or at planting through the application of microbial and biostimulants at planting. This is being demonstrated each of the other treatments.
Crop Plot 9 has been planted with six breeding lines of potatoes, selected by the Bangor University team led by Dr Katherine Steel favoured for their late blight resistance and low input needs. This plot is being grown using conventional techniques.
Crop Plot 10 is being run by Christine Jones from Dyson Farming Research. It is investigating the potential for minimal cultivation potatoes by growing them under a mulch and comparing yields to conventional cultivation.
Soil emissions
Over the two days, Light Science Technologies will demonstrate a new field device for measuring greenhouse gas emissions from the soil, giving the project the ability to compare the low input and conventional treatments.
Adding a splash of colour to the plots will be a range of aphid predator-attracting plants as a way to control aphid attacks naturally and reduce the requirement for chemical intervention.
The project includes industry, academic and farming partners, including Dyson Farming, Emerald Research Ltd, Bangor University, the James Hutton Institute and Light Science Technologies, assisted by The Sarvari Trust.
Representatives from each partner will be on hand throughout the two days to discuss all aspects of the project ranging from potato breeding, crop nutrition, biostimulants and aphid pest control to greenhouse gas field sensors.
Book your place at Potato Days UK
Potato Days UK is a new industry event hosted by Dyson Farming and organised by DLG – the company behind some of the world’s major agricultural shows, including Agritechnica.
It will include an extensive outdoor exhibitor zone, marquee space and a 12ha demonstration crop, including machinery courtesy of Grimme. A series of trial plots has also been planted on behalf of exhibitors, says show director Lars Huf.
“Our trial plot exhibitors will be on hand to show you what’s going on and explain how their technologies, services and new approaches are helping the world of the potato grower advance and evolve sustainably and efficiently.”
Although new to the UK, Potato Days is part of a well-established Potato Europe family of sector-specialist events. They mix trade stands with crop plots, expert talks and discussions with live machinery demonstrations.
“Potato Days UK is an event that will support farmers, growers and the wider value chain to succeed, through sustainable potato production to meet the increasing demands on the sector,” says Mr Huf. “Our aim is to create the essential platform for industry professionals to meet, share knowledge and see the latest machinery and technology in action.”
For details, visit www.potato-days.uk
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