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.
Below, you’ll find much of the latest technology in growth promotion for potatoes.
Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your state or local extension service to ensure registration status.
AgXplore
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Microcoat
Micronutrients are required in small amounts, but their role in plant growth and development is huge. AgXplore introduces a product that makes micronutrient application easy while ensuring efficient nutrient uptake. Microcoat is a blend of five essential micro- and secondary nutrients, including magnesium, sulfur, manganese, molybdenum and zinc, with a proprietary delivery package.
Due to its unique coating, Microcoat can be more evenly distributed across the field, meaning more plants can take advantage of those nutrients.
Redox Chemicals, LLC
(208) 678-2610
Root Rx
RootRx is a reacted nutrient product containing proprietary botanical extracts. Root Rx promotes the production of antioxidants in the plant to help manage environmental oxidative stress. In managing environmental oxidative stress, the plant can overcome a variety of stress events and maintain cell wall integrity and superior plant growth, thus allowing the plant to increase in crop quality and yield.
SQM North America
Utrasol®ution K Liquid Potassium Nitrate
SQM North America introduces Utrasol®ution K, its latest innovation in specialty plant nutrition. An all-in-one liquid formulation, Utrasol®ution K is composed of 100 percent macronutrients that are readily available for plant uptake, making it an ideal source of nitrogen and potassium. Initially, Utrasol®ution K will be available in two grades: 2.7-0-9 for cool-season and 3-0-10 for warm-season regions.
As growers evaluate nutrient sources and build their nitrogen management plans for the 2019 season, incorporating Utrasol®ution K as a primary nitrogen source helps effectively address crop nutrient needs. When applied at the right rate and the right time, Utrasol®ution K has proven to be the right source to maximize use efficiency while increasing yields.
When compared to other liquid fertilizers, Utrasol®ution K has a low salt index and a much lower plant toxicity risk than nitrogen sources based on ammonium or liquid potassium sources.
Locus Agricultural Solutions
(888) 331-5008
Rhizolizer Organic Probiotic
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) recently approved an organic formulation of Rhizolizer, a line of non-GMO microbial soil amendments that has proven to be highly successful in increasing yields and reducing time to harvest.
Rhizolizer’s unique production and delivery methods, coupled with rapid success in conventional agriculture, have made the product line a top choice for organic adoption. Rhizolizer’s high-density, low-use-rate formulations can be customized to address regional and crop-specific challenges. The treatments, which are up to 1,000 times the density of other offerings, are sent directly to growers via unique, refrigerated delivery for ultimate freshness. These advantages are driving exceptional improvements in crop productivity and profits for growers.
Commercialization of the new Rhizolizer formulations, which OMRI has approved to be used in compliance with the USDA National Organic Program, is currently under way. Additional organic certifications specific to California are also in progress.
Legion Bio Chem
(888) 906-1510
EnduraSeed
Legion Bio Chem recently announced the launch of its newest product, EnduraSeed, adding to its robust EnduraGro biologicals product line. Legion’s GroWell Solutions include FasGro starter fertilizers, ZenaGro micronutrients, FortiGro foliar nutrients, and EnduraGro micro-organisms and biostimulants.
EnduraSeed is a seed treatment that offers a blend of aerobic and anaerobic microbes formulated to revive the soil ecosystem to ultimately increase overall plant health. The added microbes work to break down residue and release nutrients in more favorable forms for absorption by small roots. Increasing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium availability for early growth helps maximize other fertilizer inputs as well.
The EnduraSeed seed treatment ensures that the microbes aren’t just near the seed, but right with it at planting. This increases the opportunity for the microbes to provide maximum benefit.
Brandt
(217) 547-5800
GlucoPro
GlucoPro is a revolutionary new plant growth regulator and the first molecule of its kind in agriculture. GlucoPro disables lectin proteins to prevent them from binding to glucose. The patented mechanism of action “unlocks and releases” the glucose that is bound to the lectins. This frees and releases the glucose into the plant, providing the plant with a flush of energy to carry out its biological functions.
Applying GlucoPro at planting and in early plant growth stages releases glucose that is fixed inside plant seeds and roots, which stimulates germination, root growth and tissue growth. Subsequent applications during high growth periods provide an additional supply of energy to the plant during fruit and vegetable development.
In the U.S., Brandt GlucoPro is currently registered for sales in Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Idaho, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.
UPL NA
(919) 745-9017
Zeba
Zeba is a patented, starch-based, super-absorbent soil enhancement designed to keep a constant supply of moisture available to germinating seed, seedlings and plants throughout the growing season. Made from natural cornstarch, each Zeba granule works like a sponge, absorbing in excess of 400 times its original weight in water, forming hydrogels that slowly release moisture back to plants as they need it. Zeba also binds and releases water-soluble nutrients, keeping more fertilizer in the root zone where it can be used by plants, thus creating a healthy microenvironment. Over time, Zeba is broken down and consumed by naturally occurring micro-organisms in the soil, leaving no residue behind.
With a steady supply of water and nutrients, plants grow healthier, crops are more uniform and yields are increased.
Westbridge Agricultural Products
(800) 599-8855
TRIGGR Plant Growth Regulators
Soil TRIGGRR and Foliar TRIGGRR are liquid plant growth regulators containing natural plant extracts. They provide plants with the energy boost they need by increasing photosynthesis, which leads to enhanced nutrient and water uptake and a stronger root system. Soil TRIGGRR and Foliar TRIGGRR work in combination with Westbridge’s Organic BioLink nutritional program to promote good root development, improve seedling vigor, and control tuber size and uniformity. The program enhances starter and pre-plant fertilizer efficiency and increases tuber specific gravity. Enhanced fertilizer efficiency may lengthen the growing season and increase starch deposition.
When applied at key times during the growing cycle, Soil TRIGGRR and Foliar TRIGGRR, along with the Organic BioLink Nutritional Program, can improve potato grade and increase yield.
Bio-Gro, Inc.
(509) 894-4110
Premium 6
Bio-Gro’s Premium 6 humic product technology allows for a uniquely compatible humic acid, making it easier to use with growers’ existing nutrient programs. Humic acids are well-documented to increase nutrient availability, water-holding capacity, tie up unwanted salts and reduce nutrient loss. Premium 6 works best when applied during periods of rapid nutrient uptake, such 12-inch plant height to full row closure. During this period of time (two to three weeks), potato plants take up almost 50 percent of their needed nutrients. Additional applications help with late-season potassium uptake.
Root Builder P
Bio-Gro’s Root Builder P 5-15-0 is a 15 percent ortho-phosphate, is safe to apply directly with the seed, and more available in cool soils for better early-season phosphate uptake. It contains specific compounds to increase root growth and stimulate the development of fine root hairs. Increased root-to-soil surface area means better phosphorus uptake, important for early-season phosphorus uptake to achieve yield and quality. This increase of early nutrient uptake typically results in a more even set and tends to hold more of the first set. Compatible with Set More Base for higher tuber counts for varieties and situations where higher tuber counts are desirable.
Root Builder P has been utilized by potato growers as a dependable in-furrow starter fertilizer for many years. In university testing, Root Builder P has accomplished increases of 40 to 50 hundredweight (2 to 2.5 tons) per acre.
Yara North America, Inc.
(800) 234-9376 
Yara Fertilizers
Yara is committed to helping farmers grow a top potato crop in terms of both yield and quality, and having a positive impact on their profitability. Crop knowledge, application competence—including technology tools and services—and the most comprehensive crop nutrition portfolio on the market make up the core of Yara’s Crop Nutrition Solution for potatoes.
Yara fertilizers, crop nutrition programs and technologies increase yields, improve product quality, and reduce environmental impact from agricultural practices.
AgroLiquid
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.
Nature Safe
(616) 566-0307
Nature Safe Fertilizers
Nature Safe Fertilizers is one of the largest manufacturers of organic fertilizer products in North America. Nature Safe will help both conventional and organic potato growers improve soil health, leaf canopy, crop yield and tuber growth. Because Nature Safe products are basically salt-free, growers can run them in-row when planting, or they can be banded later in the growing cycle without concerns over adding additional salt to the soil or plant. Nature Safe also produces dry soluble products that can be used in pivots or drip irrigation.
Nature Safe, a division of Darling Ingredients, has been manufacturing and selling pelleted and dry soluble fertilizers for over 25 years. The company works with growers to custom-formulate a one-particle fertilizer product that will meet their farm needs. Nature Safe is the perfect partner for growers who have issues with leaching of nutrients or who just need a slower-release fertilizer that can provide both macro- and micronutrients in one easy-to-apply product.
Oro Agri
(877) 773-8268
Encourage NANOCAL
Oro Agri announces the introduction of Encourage NANOCAL, a liquid, soil-applied product designed to supply potatoes with readily available calcium during periods of high demand such as tuber formation. Its calcium carbonate particles are milled to an average size of 0.7 microns—significantly smaller than the 3- to 20-micron size of other widely used calcium products. Its sub-micron size is small enough to be taken up by the meristematic region of adventitious roots without requiring additional mineralization like gypsum, limestone or products with larger particle sizes.
NANOCAL is designed as a supplemental source of calcium to be applied during those periods of high demand by the potato crop. It is not meant to remedy an overall calcium deficiency in soils. NANOCAL is formulated for quick uptake by the roots and rapid translocation throughout the plant facilitated by Oro Agri’s proprietary TransXylem technology. This is critical in supplying developing tubers the calcium they require because calcium is only effectively translocated to the tubers through a plant’s xylem. Foliar calcium applications do not provide comparable levels of calcium because of its very limited movement within the plant outside of root uptake and translocation.
Brookside Agra
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H2OExcel
Utilizing Brookside Agra’s natural water conservation agent and soil amendment H2OExcel as a seed treatment in spring can boost overall crop emergence, quality and growth rate.
H2OExcel is a proprietary blend of desert plant extracts and high-quality, humic acid-containing biologicals and other natural, non-plant-derived nutrient enhancers. Research-proven H2OExcel enables soils to absorb water faster and deeper. Once it infiltrates the ground, it reduces soil and water tension, allowing soils to absorb and retain water and nutrients three to five times faster. It also relieves capillary pressure in the soil to allow soil respiration to occur. This puts more water at the root zone and increases nutrient uptake to the plants, all while utilizing less water and fewer inputs.
H2OExcel is safe for use on all crops, turf and vegetation in all geographical areas and will not harm plants, animals or humans. When mixed with water, H2OExcel can be applied as a spray or soil-drench and can be safely blended with fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.