Potatoes

Quick agronomy facts:

	Potatoes
Seed Rate t/Ha	2.5 tonnes / Ha
Nitrogen (N) kg/Ha	125-150
Phosphate (P) kg/Ha	125-150
Potash (K) kg/Ha	250-300
Av . Yield t/Ha	First Earlies = 7-10 Second = 12-15 Main Crop = 30-40

About Potatoes

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are a member of the Order Solanaceae which includes

• Tobacco
• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Deadly Nightshade (Belladonna = poison)

Hence why the green berries which appear after potatoes have flowered often called ‘potato apples’ are poisonous, as are green potatoes.

Other Key Points

Storage

Potatoes must be stored at suitable temperatures for their intended end use Crisping/chipping Ware to prevent excess moisture loss

10 – 120C 3 – 40C

Typical Weeds, Pests, Diseases

Weeds	cleavers, bindweed, fat hen, oilseed rape, creeping thistle, sow-thistles, and many grasses.
Pests	Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN), Cut Worms, Colorado Beetle, Slugs, Wireworms,
Diseases:	Blight, Common scab, Powdery Scab, Potato Virus, Leaf Roll Virus, Storage: Gangrene, Dry Rot, Skin Spot

When Blight Strikes….

The Irish Potato Famine, also known as the Great Hunger, was a period of starvation and disease in Ireland between 1845 and 1852. It was caused by a potato blight that destroyed the potato crop.

When food miles goes mad!

Potatoes

Potatoes are classified as a root crop which not entirely accurate, as potatoes are actually swollen underground stems or tubers.

Tubers are swollen underground stems, which plants use to store food.

Potatoes crops grown in the UK

• Earlies
• Second Earlies
• Main Crop

Agronomy of Potato Crops

Variety Selection

• Different cultivars are grown depending on the intended use (e.g., processing vs. fresh consumption).
• Breeding efforts focus on improving yield, disease resistance, and quality.

Soil and Climate Requirements

• Soil Type: Prefer well-drained, loamy soils with a pH of 5.5–6.5.
• Climate: Cool, temperate conditions typical of the UK support good tuber development.

Husbandry

Pre-Planting Soil Preparation:

• Farm Yard Manure or other organic manure applied
• Thorough ploughing and harrowing to ensure a fine seedbed and adequate drainage.
• Fertiliser often applied to ploughing then worked in
• Potato Beds Formed
• Beds tillered if / as required
• Beds Destoned / Clouds moved away from were potatoes will grow
• Potatoes Planted

Planting Practices

• Seed Quality: Use certified seed potatoes, often pre-sprouted (“chitted”) to ensure uniform growth.
• Timing: Spring planting (March–April) is common to match the seasonal climate.
• Spacing and Depth: Critical for proper tuber development and reducing disease pressure.

Nutrient and Pest Management

• Fertilization: Balanced application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is crucial.
• Crop Rotation: Rotating crops helps prevent soil-borne diseases like potato blight.
• Pest Control: Integrated pest management strategies, including fungicides and insecticides, are employed to combat common pests and diseases.

Weed Management

• Timely weeding—either manually or with herbicides—to reduce competition.

Irrigation

• Adequate irrigation is vital, particularly during dry spells, while avoiding waterlogging which can encourage disease.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest Timing: Typically when the plant tops die back, indicating tuber maturity.
• Lifting: Careful mechanical or manual lifting minimizes damage to the tubers.
• Storage: Potatoes are cured and stored in cool, humid conditions to prevent sprouting and reduce losses.

Conclusion

Successful potato production in the UK relies on a combination of informed variety selection, meticulous agronomic practices, and diligent crop husbandry. These integrated approaches help manage pests and diseases, optimize yields, and ensure that potatoes meet the diverse market demands—from fresh table use to industrial processing. This balanced management not only improves crop quality but also supports sustainable farming practices.