A good start significantly determines the evolution of a situation. This condition is evident in agriculture, where, for example, a dynamic plant start-up is a precursor to the further development of the crop in the later stages.
Potato is a demanding crop in inputs and management. The characteristics of its production are formed from an early age, from the very first stages of plant development. There are two conditions that you must ensure at the beginning of the crop to lay the foundations for good development:
- The plants have developed a good root system that will allow them to more efficiently absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
- The plants have quickly developed an adequate and healthy leaf surface that will be able to make optimal use of sunlight (photosynthesis).
There are many agronomic factors that affect the above conditions, such as the cultivation practices of the producer, the climatic conditions of the area, the quality and characteristics of the seed, the plant protection, the irrigation and of course the nutrition of the crop that is the subject of Yara specialization.
How does proper nutrition affect the above two conditions?
The nutrient that is especially important for the beginning of the potato is phosphorus. Phosphorus plays an important role in creating a strong root system and in the good placement of plants in the field. It positively affects the number and size of the formed tubers but also the growth of the young shoots. Phosphorus is a key element for energy transfer within plants and for their metabolism, which is why it is essential throughout their life cycle . It should be emphasized that adequate and continuous supply from the early stages of the plant is essential for crop yield.
The problem with phosphorus and how to overcome it
The problem with phosphorus is that it is a cumbersome element in the soil, while in alkaline (pH> 7) but also very acidic soils (pH <6), it binds rapidly to form insoluble compounds of calcium, iron and aluminum. Phosphorus that we add to our fertilizers should therefore be applied to the plants without problems, even in the most difficult soil conditions.
Step 1: Start basic potato fertilization at YaraMila and take advantage of P-Extend phosphor technology
YaraMila fertilizers produced at the Yara plant in Porsgrunn, Norway, are rich in all the major nutrients and trace elements and are suitable to fully and balancedly meet the basic nutritional needs of the crop.
Unique P-Extend the YaraMila fertilizer technology based on a combination of three types of phosphor in the same fertilizer granule, in proportions that ensure the immediate but sustained availability of the plants for a longer time compared with conventional phosphate fertilizers. P-Extend technology ensures the unimpeded movement of phosphorus in the soil and its greater absorption by the roots, even at difficult soil pH values.
YaraMila fertilizers are compound fertilizers that can be used even after the potato sprouts. The high solubility of YaraMila is the advantage for their utilization in split applications even after planting, constantly providing the crop with all the necessary nutrients.
Step 2: Apply YaraVita BIOTRAC foliar to the appearance of the first leaves of the crop
The YaraVita BIOTRAC (biostimulants) is a liquid formulation with selected bioactive components of algae Ascophyllum nodosum (sugar alcohols, amino acids, organic acids, polysaccharides and vitamins). Its implementation:
Activates the Metabolism of plants.
Favors the smooth circulation of the ingredients inside the plants.
Promotes the growth of the leaf surface.
Promotes the development of the root system.
YaraVita BIOTRAC is the ideal product for restoring the normal functioning of plants, after difficult abiotic conditions that stress them, such as low temperatures after sowing, water stress and phytotoxicity of the herbicide.
Step 3: Apply YaraVita CROP BOOST foliarly at the stage of stem growth before the tuber formation begins
The YaraVita CROP BOOST is a product of the series of foliar fertilizer YaraVita. These are concentrated liquid formulations designed to act as rapid action “fuels” for plant energy, enhancing them during the period of their intense growth or helping them to cope with adverse climatic conditions. YaraVita CROP BOOST is a balanced combination of nutrients that:
enhances the formation of the leaf surface of plants,
enhances the photosynthesis of leaves,
strengthens their strains making them more resistant to various pathogens,
promotes the number of tubers in the roots,
enhances the transport of sugars produced by photosynthesis from the leaves to the roots and tubers by increasing their dry matter content (tuber filling).
