Agronomy Advice | Foliar nitrogen extends potato green canopy duration

To achieve high potato yields it is important to prolong the potato bulking stage by extending the green leaf canopy duration.

Maintaining a green leaf canopy longer helps increase the tuber size by allowing photosynthesis to continue efficiently so increasing yield. The potato is inherently inefficient at utilising soil nutrients, therefore additional nutrition in the foliar form is an ideal way of getting nutrition into the leaf.

Yara Nufol helps maintain an efficient green leaf canopy for longer

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient during this stage as it helps maintain the green leaf canopy. With the remainder of main nitrogen dressings having been applied at tuber initiation, additional requirements can be applied during bulking through several foliar sprays with dilute applications of Yara Nufol

When compared with soil-applied top-dressings there are significant improvements in nitrogen utilisation. A trial carried out in Yorkshire by Yara showed that there was an 8.3% increase in yield by using Nufol.

Applications should start from tuber initiation and can be applied in 2 - 4 diluted applications from early bulking up to 3 weeks before burn off. For further information on rates and timings, you should contact your local Yara Area Manager.

Recommended foliar fertilisers for potatoes

The following fertilisers are recommended for foliar application to potatoes.

YARA NUFOL 20

A homogenous liquid nitrogen fertiliser typically used on both wheat and oilseed rape as a late foliar spray.

YaraVita CROPLIFT PRO

A foliar fertiliser containing multiple nutrients and micronutrients for foliar application to a wide range of crops during times of stress or periods of rapid growth.

All fertiliser choices

Grow the future | Potato nutrition | Farmer inspecting potatoes

Make sure your potatoes have all the nutrients they need

Making sure your potatoes are fully supplied with all the nutrients they require is the best way to improve crop yield and tuber quality

Find out more

Potato agronomy advice

Establishing potatoes successfully

As with any other crop, good nutrition is key to securing a healthy potato crop, one that will return good yield and high quality and ultimately achieve a better profit margin for you.

Is your potato quality being let down by a lack of calcium?

Calcium is a vital nutrient for potatoes and most aspects of tuber quality can be improved by having a sufficient supply of calcium during growth.

Agronomy Advice - Increase potato yield with better phosphate management

Increase potato yields with better phosphate management

Ensuring sufficient phosphate is available for early development is critical in potatoes so perhaps it is time for a re-think about phosphate management.

See all agronomy advice

More information on potato yield issues

How to increase potato yield

The two key yield components of potato are tuber numbers per unit area, and tuber size or weight. Increased yields come from achieving the optimum tuber numbers, maintaining a green leaf canopy, and increasing tuber size and weight.

How to increase potato tuber size

Tuber size and uniformity is critical for every market, whether it is fresh potatoes, seed or processing crops. Anything that the grower can do to prolong a healthy leaf canopy will increase the average tuber size.

How to influence potato tuber numbers

The numbers of potato tubers produced by each potato plant is influenced by agronomy and varietal potential. The nutrients phosphate, potassium, and calcium all influence tuber number.

Read about improving nutrient efficiency

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Looking for even more information ...

If you would like more information on potato agronomy or nutrition and would like to speak to one of our area managers or agronomists please find all their contact details here

Contact your local Yara area manager or agronomist

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