This buyers' guide appears in the March 2017 issue of Potato Grower.
The outside observer may think farming is as simple as throwing some seed in the ground, watering it once in a while, and waiting for something to grow. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth. Even barring disease and drought, it takes a lot to produce a successful crop of potatoes.
Here, you’ll find much of the latest technology in growth promotion for potatoes.
AgroLiquid
(800) 678-9029
www.agroliquid.com
marketing@agroliquid.com
Pro-Germinator
Plant-available phosphorus is important for more and larger tubers. Pro-Germinator, through proprietary manufacturing technology, contains both ortho-phosphate and carbon-protected polymer phosphate to provide both readily available and controlled-release phosphorus with minimal danger of tie-up in the soil. This controlled release of nutrients provides needed nutrients at planting, hook stage, tuber initiation, and on through flowering and bulking. Pro-Germinator is used primarily for the application of phosphorus but also includes nitrogen, potassium and micronutrients for maximum performance.
Kalibrate
Potatoes use more potassium than any other nutrient. Potassium is required for nutrient movement in the potato plant. It is essential for the makeup of over 40 different enzymes and is involved in more than 60 different enzyme systems in plants. Potassium is also important in the formation of sugars and starches in plants. In potatoes, potassium influences tuber size, specific gravity, blackspot bruise susceptibility, after-cooking darkening, sugar content, fry color and storage quality. Kalibrate is a highly efficient carbon-chelated liquid potassium that, when applied at planting or side-dress, is taken up from the soil along the length of young, fibrous roots. Potassium is transported in all directions among plant organs in response to metabolic demand. Kalibrate also contains 6 percent sulfur, another essential nutrient for potatoes.
Certis USA
(800) 250-5024
www.certisusa.com
LifeGard WG
The EPA has registered LifeGard WG, the first foliar-applied biological plant activator available on the market, for use on potatoes, sugarbeets, fruiting vegetables, pecans and other specialty agricultural crops to control diseases. LifeGard’s active ingredient, the Bacillus mycoides isolate J (BmJ), is a naturally occurring bacterium that triggers an induced systemic resistance (ISR) response in plants. This ISR response mode of action offers efficacy, resistance management materials, low residue levels, and crop and worker safety. LifeGard is NOP-approved and OMRI-listed, is residue exempt, has a four-hour REI, can be applied the day of harvest, and is bee safe.
LifeGard triggers a plant’s natural immune response to pathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses. Plants respond to initial detection of potentially pathogenic micro-organisms by “switching on” resistance genes, causing a cascade of metabolic responses to limit infection and disease development. LifeGard is unique in that it works entirely as a microbial ISR activator with no direct antagonistic effect on plant pathogens. LifeGard induces the same genetic resistance pathway as the class of chemical ISR inducers known as benzothiadiazoles, but for longer periods and with lower risk of phytotoxicity.
J.R. Simplot Co.
(208) 336-2110
www.simplot.com
www.simplotfusn.com
FUSN
The J.R. Simplot Company collaborated with Honeywell to fuse ammonium nitrate with ammonium sulfate to create FUSN, an ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer that is less detonable, more efficient and socially responsible than other fertilizers.
FUSN (26-0-0-14s) gives growers the ability to improve farm productivity with a fertilizer that is easy to use and enables a strong return with clear agronomic benefits. FUSN is a dry, granular, homogenous fertilizer that delivers nitrate, ammonium nitrogen and sulfate sulfur to the plant. The fused sulfate-nitrate compound also decrease volatilization of surface-applied nitrogen.
For more information, visit www.simplotfusn.com.
Loftness Specialized Equipment
(800) 828-7624
www.loftness.com
FertiLogix Fertilizer Spreaders
Loftness’ FertiLogix line of products includes two eight-ton fertilizer spreaders. The FS800 standard spreader and RC800 high-clearance row crop spreader combine durability, superior spread pattern and variable rate capabilities to meet the growing demand for precision application equipment.
The FS800 features a double-axle design with an integral adjustable-height hitch and 2½-inch-wide leaf springs, resulting in level operation and improved ride quality on uneven terrain. The RC800 is a single-axle spreader with a 44-inch frame clearance for in-season applications, allowing operators to spoon-feed nutrients as a crop needs them. The RC800 includes an infinitely variable tread width from 80 to 120 inches to accommodate virtually any row spacing. Both models are equipped with dual stainless steel spinners that deliver a consistent, 40- to 60-foot-wide spread pattern using a 100 percent overlapping triangular pattern.
Tiger-Sul
(800) 239-3647
www.tigersul.com
Tiger XP
Tiger XP by Tiger-Sul is formulated to meet crops’ sulphur needs. Its unique composition of sulphur bentonite and a proprietary activator sets a new industry standard for higher sulphate release rates. Tiger XP can address early-season soil sulphate deficiencies by accelerating plant sulphate availability and consistently offers higher sulphate levels throughout the growing season. It is one of the safest sulphur bentonite products available.
Tiger XP’s proprietary activator offers higher sulphate release rates as compared to traditional sulphur bentonite products. It improves soil sulphur levels and enhances the sulphur oxidation process. Tiger XP also increases nitrogen efficiency and reduces nitrogen leaching.
Compass Minerals
(800) 743-7258
www.protassiumplus.com
Protassium+ Organic
Protassium+ Organic from Compass Minerals gives organic growers now have a pure, consistent and reliable potassium fertilizer option with the release of. Protassium+ Organic is a dual-nutrient, concentrated sulfate of potash (SOP) offering high potassium and plant-available sulfate sulfur. It is the only domestically produced and packaged SOP certified and approved for organic food production by the Organic Materials Review Institute, California Department of Food and Agriculture and USDA National Organic Standards Board.
Westbridge Agricultural Products
(509) 669-7600
www.westbridge.com
slough@westbridge.com
Organic Triggr, Organic BioLink
Organic Triggr is a liquid auxiliary soil and plant input containing natural plant extracts. It provides plants with the energy boost they need by increasing photosynthesis, which leads to enhanced nutrient and water uptake and a stronger root system. Organic Triggr works well in combination with Westbridge’s Organic BioLink nutritional program to promote good root development, improve seedling vigor, and improve tuber size and uniformity. The program enhances starter and pre-plant fertilizer efficiency and increases tuber specific gravity. Enhanced fertilizer efficiency has an equivalent effect to lengthening the growing season due to elevated starch deposition.
When applied at key times during the growing cycle, Organic Triggr and the Organic BioLink nutritional program can improve potato grade and increase yield. Organic Triggr is water-soluble and is suitable for use in both organic and conventional production systems.