As the potato industry embraces regenerative agriculture, sustainability is becoming more than just a goal: it’s an expectation. Processors and buyers are setting ambitious targets for fertilizer reduction, water use efficiency and soil health improvement.
For growers, the challenge lies in balancing these demands with the realities of farming and maintaining profitability. Fortunately, innovative approaches to soil management are helping bridge the gap.
One of the biggest challenges in potato production is the sheer amount of land and resources required to meet processor demand. At one processing plant of which I am aware, it takes about 17,000 acres of potatoes to supply that processing plant for a year. I did some basic production math that shows that improving soil management practices — specifically through the thoughtful use of the soil fumigant Strike — would significantly boost yields, making it possible to achieve the same output on just 13,000 acres.
This reduction of 4,000 acres doesn’t just save land—it cuts the inputs needed across the board. Fewer acres mean less irrigation, less fertilizer, reduced fuel for equipment, and lower overall resource consumption.
Chloropicrin in-row soil fumigation over several trials increased potato yield an average of 100,000 pounds per 10 acres compared to untreated fields. To achieve the same yield without chloropicrin, farmers would need an additional 2.85 acres. Using 1,000 pounds of chloropicrin on 10 acres could save approximately 510 lb of nitrogen, 610 lb of potassium, 375 lb of phosphorus, 6.0 lb of chlorothalonil, 1.2 lb of metribuzin, 0.5 lb of azoxystrobin, 1.8 million gallons of water (irrigated crop), and 50 gallons of diesel (3,200 lb CO2 from diesel combustion) from being used on the unneeded 2.85 acres. When shown on the scale needed to supply a processing plant, these gains overwhelm most regenerative ag and sustainability goals, allowing stakeholders to reach a remarkable level of success.
Strike, which is driven by the active ingredient chloropicrin, works by targeting the soilborne pathogens that often hold back crop potential. Diseases like black dot and verticillium—key contributors to early die complex—can silently rob yield year after year. By effectively managing these harmful organisms, Strike breaks the disease cycle, creating healthier conditions for potato plants to thrive.
What sets Strike apart is its selective approach. Strike suppresses pathogens while at the same time actively supporting the growth of beneficial microorganisms that play an essential role in nutrient cycling and soil structure.
The impact is clear: stronger plants, better yields, fewer resources. Strike is a tool, but it’s also part of a larger commitment to sustainability. When integrated into a thoughtful management plan—including proper rotation, cover cropping and soil monitoring—it helps growers strike a balance between economic productivity and environmental stewardship.