b'Sustainability is Good, But Only if We Know the TargetCHAD HUTCHINSONGlobal director of potato research and market supportTriCal Grouptricalgroup.comYOUD BE HARD pressed to lookvulnerable. The only kind of sustainabilityOver the past two and a half years, weve anywhere in agriculture today withoutefforts worth pursuing are practices thatsent approximately 2,000 soil samples running into the word sustainability.provide meaningful, functional, overallfrom diverse croplands to genomic analysis The whole industry is pressing forward onsustainability improvements within a real- company, Biome Makers. Our goal in sustainabilitybut what does sustainabilityworld growing environment.submitting samples is to get an inside look really mean? How do we defineWhile its still complicated to defineat whats happening in soil treated with sustainabilitys goals, how do we choose thehow any management choices impacts theStrike, a chloropicrin-based soil fumigant. tools to move sustainability forward, andcrop production system as a whole, wereWhile we see the benefit of this kind of how do we assess whether were achievinggetting better at it. In the last handful ofunbiased insight in the context of our measurable sustainability improvement?years, a wide variety of new technologiesspecific fumigant productevidence that Could new genomic tools that identify soilhave come to the marketplace that measureStrike suppresses soil borne disease while microbe composition help us move towardcrop production health in ways far beyondalso supporting biological diversity, the functional sustainability? just yield. The one Im most excited aboutgrowth of saprophytes, and soil health I define real changewhat I callis genomic analysis of soils microbiome,overallgenomic analysis for soil health functional sustainabilityas a measurablywhich uses DNA sequencing to identify thehas broad utility far beyond our specific positive impact to soil health, resource usebacterial and fungal populations presentapplication. Soil health is the foundation of efficiency, emissions or other parametersin soil. By testing soil before and aftersustainability. As such, we should be looking that align with or improve the total cropspecific input applications or managementto whats going on in the soil as a clear production system. Theres no point intechniques, genomic analysis offersmeasuring stick of any sustainability effort. crowing about a stand-alone sustainabilityunbiased insight into how specific landGenomic analysis of soil has the potential improvement that costs yield, or a reduced- management choices impact overall soilto revolutionize the way we think about impact pesticide that leaves a crop morehealth. farming going forward.The Crucial Role of Nutrient Management in Potato FarmingGREG PATTERSON CEO and founderA&L Canada Laboratoriesalcanada.comAS A POTATO FARMER, you can noregulation. Moreover, potassium is essentialEven though its possible to grow potatoes doubt attest to the insatiable appetite of thefor the plants ability to harness sunlightwith lower nutrient levels, the compromise potato for nutrients, particularly potassium.through photosynthesis, converting it intooften manifests in poor quality. Undesirable Unfortunately, several misunderstandingsthe starches that contribute to the potatosfrying characteristics can result. Therefore, about nutrients make nutrient uptake anutritional content. tracking quality throughout the season is challenge in modern farming, leading toPotassium is a crucial nutrient, but itsessential, starting with soil tests and the use quality issues. not everything. Having said the above,of in-season plant analysis to identify hidden Understanding the need for healthy soilits crucial to understand that in additionnutrient deficiencies proactively.with good nutrient levels is the first step toto potassium, the inclusion of synergisticBeing proactive involves measures like cultivating a quality crop in 2024. nutrients like boron is important. Boron nottopdressing or foliar feeding to meet critical Soil type matters. We often cultivateonly supplements the overall nutrient profiledemand times in the potatos lifecycle. potatoes in sandy soils, which lack thebut also aids in retaining potassium withinNeglecting these demands could lead to capacity to provide the necessary amountthe plant.issues such as sugar ends during frying, a of potassium during the crucial bulkingThis is where soil health begins to playconsequence of high reducing sugars. stage. To address this deficiency, I oftena role. Its a critical factor in growingTheres a crucial relationship between recommend heavy applications of potassiuma successful potato crop. Sandy soils,nutrient levels and crop quality, ensuring fertilizers, ensuring that the plant receivescoupled with the less efficient root systemthat each stage of the potatos lifecycle the essential nutrients it craves. of potatoes, necessitate maintaining higherreceives the attention it deserves. The significance of potassium extendsnutrient levels in the soil. With less than aEnsuring adequate nutrient levels ensures beyond mere nutrient demand. It plays40 per cent nutrient use efficiency, ensuringhealthy, strong plants that are better able to other roles, including the quality of potatoesthese higher levels becomes imperative toproduce quality tubers and ensures a more for frying, storability, and moistureavoid issues during peak demand times. profitable season for 2024.SPUDSMART.COMWinter 202431'