b'We dont have clear evidence of that, but what we believe is that in soil that has a nice healthy microbial community, other microorganisms are much more competitive and they will help reduce the [PED] symptoms you would see in the potato, he says.As Zebarth points out, though, potato production is hard on soil quality. Frequent tillage, short potato rotations and soil erosion can all reduce soil organic matter, and the potato crop adds little organic matter back to the soil, POTATOEH he says. When soil quality is low, the potato crop suffers because theres less aeration Experience the vigour of the north. With colderand biological activity, and soils dont have the same capacity to hold water or winters and long summer days, Alberta Seedtake up nutrients. Poor soil quality can also reduce drainage, and in wet spring Potatoes are the best choice for a higherweather can result in poor early growth or seed-piece rot.yielding potato crop.Ideal climate, profitable results.Check out the seed directory at albertapotatoes.ca The big surprise we had, though, was the soil-borne diseases. They turned out to be far more important than we had anticipated. BERNIE ZEBARTHDuring the course of the study, a number of methods to enhance soil quality were assessed, including the use of compost, nurse crops and fall cover crops. These methods were shown to enhance soil quality by increasing and preserving organic matter. Zebarth believes the study, in addition to identifying some major yield-limiting factors and offering practical management strategies for growers, has given scientists and the industry a path forward to finding solutions.He says potato researchers are continuing to study mustard and other crops Theperfect addition to yourlike buckwheat and sorghum-sudangrass as rotation alternatives which have theeet. All aluminum trailer inserts \x1f potential to suppress PED while also building soil organic matter. will transform your dry vans intoIn addition, the study has helped pave the way for new research and a better self-unloading bulk trailers. Builtunderstanding of diseases like PED and how they behave, and its also led to the lightweight without troughs fordevelopment of new diagnostic tests and tools for detecting Verticillim, Zebarth says.maximum product capacity. Three new scientists hired by the AAFC Fredericton Research and Development Call today to see how we can help you maximize yourCentre in the past two years will continue with some aspects of the work in the product payload and reduce your transportation cost. five-year study. They are Louis-Pierre Comeau, a soil organic matter specialist, plant pathologist Dahu Chen, and integrated cropping systems expert Cameron Wagg. 20 SPUDSMART.COM WINTER 2020'