Potato Agronomy Advice: Simon Faulkner

Simon Faulkner is an independent agronomist with SDF Agriculture Ltd, who specialises in potatoes. While much of his work is based around Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, his expertise with seed crops takes him from the South-West up to Scotland.

“We’ve had a phenomenally good spring to date which means growers, in the main, are making excellent progress with planting,” he says. “Last year was dry but very cold. Having planted seed in good order, it stayed dormant in the ground with some crops taking seven weeks to emerge. This year we’ve had another dry spring, but it has been warm with a handful of days at 19°C or 20°C, which has brought soil temperatures up to 8C at seed depth, which should encourage rapid emergence.

“It does mean growers need to be ready for pre-emergence herbicides.”

Dry conditions may have been great for planting crops, but Simon notes that some rain now would benefit the pre-emergence herbicides that need moisture to optimise efficacy: “If it continues to be dry, we may well have to resort to post-emergence herbicides, which can check crops. Though the dry conditions could delay weeds resulting in emergence at the same time as the potatoes. However, having had a dig in the ridges it is noticeable that the warmth and moisture has stimulated a plethora of weed germination already.”

With another mild winter, aphids are probably the threat which is forefront of seed growers’ minds this year. “Other agronomists are already reporting colonies of aphids in some veg crops. It doesn’t bode well for the season ahead and seed growers will be particularly concerned. They will need to maximise the efficacy of programmes, making the most of the few active ingredients we have available.”

When it comes to blight, Simon notes pressure will depend upon conditions as we progress through the season. “Most people will be sticking to a 7-day programme and be watching the weather carefully to assess risk. Good practice – not leaving dumps of potatoes in yards and field corners; checking neighbouring crops for volunteer potatoes and signs of blight etc – will help reduce that risk. If you’re irrigating, obviously, the programme will be more regimented and coincide with water applications.”

“It's a little early for slug control,” he continues. “When they will strike is largely weather dependent, though full canopies will create micro-climates that are suitable for the pest. It is worth monitoring slug activity within fields especially with susceptible varieties.”

This blog appeared in the Perfecting Potatoes Together May 2022 Newsletter. To subscribe to this monthly newsletter, set up your BASF My Services account and subscibe to the Real Results Email Service choosing potatoes as a preference.