How to maintain potato health
Plant nutrients are predominantly associated with increasing yield and quality through ensuring no mineral deficiency is restricting growth and development. However plant nutrients can also help the plant protect itself from disease. A well balanced nutrition programme will ensure that the plants cellular structure is robust and resilient, whilst avoiding excessive nutrient build up that can also be detrimental to plant health. There are numerous examples of nutrients being cited for their role in plant health, with nitrogen, potassium, manganese, zinc, copper and molybdenum being examples.
Foliar diseases
Nitrogen applications can have the effect of encouraging foliar diseases, particularly applications later in the season which delay maturity and increase the risk of blight infection.
Tuber diseases
Calcium is an important nutrient for preventing tuber diseases since by strengthening cell walls it also strengthens tuber skins so providing better resistance to many diseases. Boron enhances the effect of Calcium by improving uptake and so and can reduce levels of common scab and other tuber diseases, Zinc can minimise powdery scab Sulfur may reduce both powdery and common scab infection.
Related articles
How to influence potato tuber numbers
The numbers of potato tubers produced by each potato plant is influenced by agronomy and varietal potential. The nutrients phosphate, potassium, and calcium all influence tuber number.
How to increase potato tuber size
Tuber size and uniformity is critical for every market, whether it is fresh potatoes, seed or processing crops. Anything that the grower can do to prolong a healthy leaf canopy will increase the average tuber size.
How to improve potato skin finish
Skin finish is important as consumers increasingly demand potatoes with clean, attractive skins. Tubers with surface infections of skin diseases are less attractive and also likely to have a reduced storage life.
How to reduce potato bruising
Potato tuber bruising is a serious problem in the potato industry. Correct nutrition of the crop prior to harvest can minimise the risk of bruising occurring with potassium, calcium and boron all having effects that reduce bruising.
