b'ROUNDTABLENutriensESN fertilizer. PHOTO: NUTRIENsays. And, although foliar nutrition is usually ap- nutrients. In dryland potatoes, most growers plied with liquid products, for farmers who dontdepend on dry for the bulk of their nutrients at irrigate, they can be incorporated into any sprayA liquid starter mixtime of planting, he says. For the most part, dry program. These are more targeted and shouldproducts are available for all major nutrients. In be used to avoid deficiencies and supplement ais easy to handle withcontrast, liquid is somewhat limited depending on strong soil fertility program, says Goodroad. the planter and iswhere you are and maturity of the liquid market. However, looking forward, Yaras Globalgenerally a completeDry is typically used one time in the season and Potato Business Manager Maarten de Voogdthe dose is set, which can have drawbacks, where believeswith the continued risk of dry growingmixture containingliquid fertigation allows a grower more flexibility conditions due to climate change, more growersmicronutrients andto respond to the crop demand throughout the in Canada and elsewhere may institute irrigation.season. Both can be successful strategies. Indeed, he would not be surprised in the futuregrowth stimulant. Stover notes new technologies are allowing if processors include in their contracts withALAN BAYLOCK more precision and flexibility, especially with growers the obligation to have on-farm irrigationliquid fertilizer application. (New technology) has equipment and adequate water availability. Whenbeen a key component in allowing both growers this happens, he predicts farmers will searchurea is sometimes applied and incorporated intoand agronomists to follow the 4Rs (right source, for solutions in the direction of liquids or solublethe first cultivation. Following that is typicallyright rate, right time, right place) when applying products.an in-season liquid N application in irrigatedfertilizer to a potato crop during its life cycle, cropping systems or a dry N incorporation beforehe says. Now, because of the recent advance-GENERAL STRATEGY OVERVIEW cultivation so that nutrients are readily availablements of GPS irrigation pivots and irrigation Blaylock notes in potatoes, much of nitrogento the shallow roots of the plants. Also, in-season,drip tape systems, when the potato crop is at a (N) application is now in liquid form as its easyfoliar liquid applications can be effective forgrowth stage where both water and nutrients are to handle and also most suitable for banding.micronutrients, which are absorbed better thatbeing demanded we are delivering the plants A liquid starter mix is easy to handle with theway than through soil uptake.nutrients at the right rate (rate is determined by planter and is generally a complete mixture con- Goodroad notes growers of irrigated fieldsthe plant tissue sample taken, up to weekly) at taining micronutrients and growth stimulant,are typically fertigating all nitrogen and utilizingthe right time, using the right source and in the he notes. Pre-emergence or post-emergence,dry fertilizer at time of planting for the otherright place. This change from dry-only applica-34 SPUDSMART.COM SPRING 2020'