According to Wilson’s Country agronomist Stuart Meredith, up to 30% of potato crops in the Republic of Ireland are now being irrigated in order to maintain yields. The equivalent figure for Northern Ireland is 10%.
He explained to Richard Halleron of Agriland: “Potatoes need 20mm of rain per week to maintain full crop growth at this time of year. However, parts of Co. Down have hardly seen that amount of rain in total since main crops were planted out.
Thus far, it has been a year of extremes for main crop potatoes. Stuart Meredith continued: “The very cold and dry spell that followed the establishment of most crops meant that pre-emergent herbicides did not work that well.” The continuing warm spell has created significant moisture deficit challenges for most Irish potato crops.
Source: Agriland. Read the full story here
Photo: Wilson’s Country agronomist Stuart Meredith (left) with Co. Down potato grower Hugh Chambers. Courtesy Agriland.
