b'tions early in the season has improved both yield and quality. Calcium is a good example. Stover explains it is in peak demand when the crop is producing new tubers and needs to be applied to a specific part of the root system for it to be absorbed. Grow-ers and agronomists will dig up multiple plants to assess whether the plants are starting to set more tubers. At this point, soluble calcium fertilizer can be injected into the irrigation system.Murray Van Zeggelaar, vice-president at New Hamburg, Ont.-based ALPINE, agrees with the notion liquid fertilizer use is growing in potato production to help balance fertility programs and to meet nutrient needs at critical growth stages. His companys research has shown liquid fertilizer applied in-furrow can help potatoes emerge quicker and with a bigger root systemand while phosphate is applied by some growers in dry form,A potato fieldhe says in liquid fertilizer, a formula containtingfertilized withboth orthophosphate and polyphosphate, is par- Nurtiens ESNfertilizer. ticularly beneficial. Specifically, an 80:20 ortho/ PHOTO: NUTRIENpoly ratio has shown to be the best way to help maintain phosphate petiole levels during the first critical period of growth, he reports.Van Zeggelaar adds potatoes have a huge need for potassium, and even though soil levels mightto withstand biotic and abiotic stress. providing beneficial nitrate nitrogen, he explains. be adequate, plants are still not getting enoughStover points to the development of anAlso, there are many new innovative ways to feed through their root systems at critical stages ofoil-based micronutrient product which coatsmicronutrients via impregnating dry fertilizer and growth. He says a foliar application of potassiummacro-nutrient blends called YaraVita PROCOTE.through foliar applications.45 days after emergence or at just around tuberFor years, we as an industry have needed toVan Zeggelaar adds liquid slow-release initiation can tremendously increase tuber countapply upwards of five pounds per acre of annitrogen products such as ALPINE SRN can be and marketable yieldbut not all potassiumindividual micronutrient such as zinc in order tofoliar-applied throughout the season to help with products are absorbed to the same degree.have enough individual zinc prills present that theany nitrogen deficiencies which may occur, and plant could get a response, he says. With thisthese can be applied with most fungicide pro-NEW FORMULATIONS coating technology, we have the ability to applygrams. Not only do they provide an efficient source In terms of other new developments influencingonly what the crop is demanding. of foliar nitrogen, he says, but they can also help how growers choose and apply liquid and dryfungicides stick to the leaves better.fertilizer, Blaylock notes a lot of research andLOOKING FORWARD Circling back to the topic of weather patterns, development has been done on controlled-releaseFor growers looking to further tweak their use ofGoodroad adds progressive growers are moving products such as Nutriens ESN, which bothliquid and dry fertilizers, excellent record keeping istowards more spoon-feeding of nutrients, tar-minimize nutrient loss and decrease in-seasona must. Focus in on one aspect per season to im- geting peak demand and reacting to the climate labour. He adds application of some organic acidsprove on and find a sustainable solution that canin-season. can improve phosphate availability, and a widebe repeated yearly, Stover advises. Farms thatTaking a more climate-reactive approach variety of bio-stimulants are being developed tohave survived this long have done an amazing jobto fertility requires in-season applications, enhance nutrient uptake or availability throughto create a program that fits not just their region,sometimes several when responding to changing boosting root growth and/or stimulating growth ofbut also fits their individual farm fields. There isntyield potential, he explains. In this case liquid soil microorganisms.a particular product that will work in every singleis a no-brainer for irrigated farmers and dry Biological products can also be applied withscenario across all potato growing regions. topdressing for dryland farmers managing in-furrow liquid fertilizer, adds Van Zeggelaar.Goodroad notes while not new globally, liquidnutrients during peak demand and being climate Our research has shown that biologicals contain- calcium nitrate is starting to make its way intoreactive are strategies that should be assessed on ing bacillus bacteria can enhance plant growth,the Canadian market. This will allow some flex- farm. Start small and scale up if the effects are increase nutrient uptake and help the potato plantibility for targeting calcium peak demand whilepositive. SPRING 2020 SPUDSMART.COM 35'