Grower Collaboration Project
Grower Collaboration Project
Potato Council / Cambridge University Farm
Potato Council / Cambridge University Farm
Example of typical results (W.B. Daw, Hermes)
•
•
Seed rates were reduced from 2.88 t/ha (Standard) to 2.45 t/ha
(Modified).
There was no difference in the development of ground cover.
100
Ground cover (%)
80
60
Standard
40
Modified
20
0
1 May
•
•
1 Jul
1 Aug
1 Sep
1 Oct
The number of plants and stems were reduced in the Modified crop
consistent with reduction in seed rate.
The tuber population was also slightly reduced.
The mean tuber size was larger in the Modified crop and marketable
yield was maintained with a reduction in seed costs.
Yield > 40 mm
80
Yield (t FW/ha)
•
1 Jun
As costs of production increase it is important that marketable
yields are maximised and all inputs are used efficiently so that the
potato crop remains economically sustainable. To achieve
economic sustainability it is necessary for growers and their
agronomists to be fully aware of the latest developments in potato
crop agronomy and management.
At the start of the project growers supplied a detailed specification
of their intended crops (i.e. yield and grading) and how they
planned to achieve it. This “Standard” management was then
compared with a “Modified” management plan that used the best
available knowledge. In some cases differences between the
Standard and Modified management plans were small (i.e. the
growers were already using appropriate practice). For other crops
the differences were large and field comparisons were set up to
carefully monitor and document the differences in growth and
yield of crops that received the Standard and Modified
management.
In 2007, work was done with the following growers and grower
groups: North Norfolk Potato Growers (crisping); Strawson
Farming (crisping); W.B. Daw (crisping and French fries) and the
South-West Agronomy Group (fresh). The project will continue in
2008 with the addition of A.H. Worth (fresh).
60
40
Introduction
Standard
Modified
20
0
Standard
Modified
© AHDB & CUF June 2008
UNIVERSITY OF
CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge University Farm
Flowchart for BPC/CUF Grower Collaboration Project 2007
Planning and calculation stage
Field details sent to CUF. No. = 23
(soil type, previous cropping, etc)
Seed details sent to CUF. No. = 44
(variety, stock, size, etc)
Fields rejected because difference between
“Standard” and “Modified” too small, logistics
in monitoring etc. No. = 51
Selection stage
Comparison for seed rates. No. = 11
Comparisons for fertilizer rates. No. = 5
Number of fields lost in season due to
flooding, difficulties in monitoring etc. No. = 5
Data analysis stage
Final comparisons for seed rate. No. = 9
Final comparisons for fertilizer rate. No. = 2
Number of
crops
Difference
compared with
“Standard”
Effect on total yield
Effect on yield >40
mm
N reduced
2
-60 kg N/ha
+9.45 t/ha
+7.10 t/ha
Seed rates reduced
7
-0.73 t/ha
+0.50 t/ha
+0.87 t/ha
Seed rates increased
2
+0.27 t/ha
- 0.35 t/ha
-1.20 t/ha
Comparison
These split field comparisons were for demonstrating principles derived from many experiments and differences
between individual comparisons should be treated with caution
© AHDB & CUF June 2008
Flowchart for BPC/CUF Grower Collaboration Project 2007
Planning and calculation stage
Field details sent to CUF. No. = 23
(soil type, previous cropping, etc)
Seed details sent to CUF. No. = 44
(variety, stock, size, etc)
Fields rejected because difference between
“Standard” and “Modified” too small, logistics
in monitoring etc. No. = 51
Selection stage
Comparison for seed rates. No. = 11
Comparisons for fertilizer rates. No. = 5
Number of fields lost in season due to
flooding, difficulties in monitoring etc. No. = 5
Data analysis stage
Final comparisons for seed rate. No. = 9
Final comparisons for fertilizer rate. No. = 2
Number of
crops
Difference
compared with
“Standard”
Effect on total yield
Effect on yield >40
mm
N reduced
2
-60 kg N/ha
+9.45 t/ha
+7.10 t/ha
Seed rates reduced
7
-0.73 t/ha
+0.50 t/ha
+0.87 t/ha
Seed rates increased
2
+0.27 t/ha
- 0.35 t/ha
-1.20 t/ha
Comparison
These split field comparisons were for demonstrating principles derived from many experiments and differences
between individual comparisons should be treated with caution
© AHDB & CUF June 2008
Grower Collaboration Project
Grower Collaboration Project
Potato Council / Cambridge University Farm
Potato Council / Cambridge University Farm
Example of typical results (W.B. Daw, Hermes)
•
•
Seed rates were reduced from 2.88 t/ha (Standard) to 2.45 t/ha
(Modified).
There was no difference in the development of ground cover.
100
Ground cover (%)
80
60
Standard
40
Modified
20
0
1 May
•
•
1 Jul
1 Aug
1 Sep
1 Oct
The number of plants and stems were reduced in the Modified crop
consistent with reduction in seed rate.
The tuber population was also slightly reduced.
The mean tuber size was larger in the Modified crop and marketable
yield was maintained with a reduction in seed costs.
Yield > 40 mm
80
Yield (t FW/ha)
•
1 Jun
As costs of production increase it is important that marketable
yields are maximised and all inputs are used efficiently so that the
potato crop remains economically sustainable. To achieve
economic sustainability it is necessary for growers and their
agronomists to be fully aware of the latest developments in potato
crop agronomy and management.
At the start of the project growers supplied a detailed specification
of their intended crops (i.e. yield and grading) and how they
planned to achieve it. This “Standard” management was then
compared with a “Modified” management plan that used the best
available knowledge. In some cases differences between the
Standard and Modified management plans were small (i.e. the
growers were already using appropriate practice). For other crops
the differences were large and field comparisons were set up to
carefully monitor and document the differences in growth and
yield of crops that received the Standard and Modified
management.
In 2007, work was done with the following growers and grower
groups: North Norfolk Potato Growers (crisping); Strawson
Farming (crisping); W.B. Daw (crisping and French fries) and the
South-West Agronomy Group (fresh). The project will continue in
2008 with the addition of A.H. Worth (fresh).
60
40
Introduction
Standard
Modified
20
0
Standard
Modified
© AHDB & CUF June 2008
UNIVERSITY OF
CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge University Farm