A different perspective on practical fertility programs to enhance the yield and quality of potatoes.
By Dr. J. Julian Smith, President, CZO Agronomics, LLC
Easter or Good Friday was always a big day in the Smith family history. Not because of religious reasons per se but because for my Grandfather Bert, it was his only day off of the year from the local traction and bus company where he doubled as the driver and head mechanic – whenever Easter fell on the calendar, it only meant one thing – “get them ‘taters in”. So, it started, a lifetime spent in and around potatoes; intern at the Scottish Plant Breeding Station, Pentlandfield, later working form Mr. J.R. Simplot in the fields of Idaho to travelling the world chasing the perfect potato. Spuds are indeed the crop of legend in my experiences.
Throughout all of my experiences in production and processing to the delights of fancy restaurants and even MacDonald’s, potato fertility has been a major consideration in the presentation of the abundance and quality of this menu staple. Genetics, location and thus environment, crop protection, storage, and processing are huge but the glue holding these components together is plant fertility.
As a plant physiologist, I tend to look to history, genetics, and plant morphology – soil science is left to layer in on these essentials. However, keep an open and very active management eye on each growing season – your management of the uncertainties of the present and future cannot be solely managed on the certainties of the past! Science-based products and technologies will assist…
