Site-specific Management of Potatoes

This project is investigating the potential for site-specific management to improve yields of irrigated potatoes. Tissue concentrations of P and K can be quite variable.

IPNI-1996-CAN-AB14

01 Mar 1997

1996 Annual Interpretive Summary

Site-Specific Management of Potatoes, 1996

Potatoes are a high value crop with high input requirements. Yields in southern Alberta average 22 tons per acre, but vary considerably within fields, making potatoes an excellent candidate for precision farming techniques. This project is investigating the potential for site-specific management to improve yields of irrigated potatoes in two farm fields. In the first year, researchers concentrated their efforts on measuring variability using differential Global Positioning System technology and yield monitors. Initial results have indicated tissue concentrations of P and K can be quite variable, and in the case of P, lower than expected for adequate crop growth. The study will continue to pin point variability and introduce fertilizer strip trials this next year. Precision farming techniques should help growers increase their average production. AB-14F