Effective management of nutrients is critical for potato production, as tuber yield and tuber quality are directly impacted by source, quantity and timing of nutrient applications.
AgroLiquid’s PrimAgro line includes C-Tech, which contains organic matter, live strains of beneficial fungi, bacteria, microbes and soil-activated chelates that help better hold nutrients in poor soil types, potentially improve seed application safety, release nutrients within soil solution, promote biological activity and help increase overall plant health. C-Tech also contains 3.50 fulvic acid.
In this experiment, C-Tech was applied at planting and at hilling to Snowden potatoes. The objective was to evaluate C-Tech’s impact on potato yield and tuber size distribution. Other treatments in this trial included PrimAgro P as an extended delivery of available phosphate throughout the growing season; PrimAgro K as an advanced, high-efficiency potassium product containing sulfur; HIGH NRG-N represented the source of nitrogen.
Prior to planting (May 12, 2017), comprehensive soil sampling and herbicide applications too place. Soil was tilled by a cultivator to a 6- to 8-inch depth; seedbeds were roto-tilled. Sulfate of potash (0-0-62) was broadcast pre-planting at a rate of 300 pounds acre in all the treatments.
Surface drip irrigation provided supplementary and sufficient water requirements to the crop.
A protective and proactive program of pesticides and herbicides was carried out during the course of this experiment to maintain a healthy growth of the potato.
Conclusions:
- Researchers witnessed a remarkable growth of Snowdens due to the application of C-Tech and PrimAgro.
- The C-Tech application, a specialized formulation of carbon and biological agents, proved to be an added value to increase the potato yield at side-dressing or at hilling.
- PrimAgro P and PrimAgro K helped increase the potato yield, but not to the level of application of C-Tech.
- The results demonstrate that potatoes, which have a relatively shallow root system, often require substantial nutrient input, which can be productive when managed properly to maintain tuber productivity and quality
