The Transformative Reduced Input in Potatoes (TRIP) project has taken three trial crop plots (8, 9 and 10) at the Potato Days UK event, which will be held at Dyson Farming, Nocton, Lincolnshire on the 4th and 5th September.
All aspects of the TRIP project will be on show over the three trial plots. There will be low input late blight resistant varieties, minimal cultivation planting, optimised nutrient formulations combined with minimal agrochemical applications as well as the use of aphid predator attracting plants and in-field greenhouse gas monitors. In short, a full range of low input, regenerative potato growing options all in one place.
Reduced nitrogen and phosphate input trials
Crop Plot 8 trials come under the watchful eye of Simon Fox from Emerald Research Ltd. and will focus on reduced nitrogen and phosphate inputs by combining optimised foliar nutrient programmes with greatly reduced fertiliser inputs. These trials are being replicated in large-scale strip trials at several farm trial sites around the country. The project is also investigating the potential for reducing agrochemicals applied to seed or at planting through the application of specific microbial & biostimulant mixtures at planting and this is being demonstrated in combination with each of the other treatments.
Breeding lines
Crop Plot 9 has been planted with six breeding lines of potatoes bred from existing varieties, selected by the Bangor University team lead by Dr Katherine Steel favoured for their late blight resistance and low input needs.
This plot will be grown under a ‘conventional management’ programme.
Minimal cultivation
Crop Plot 10 is being run by Christine Jones from Dyson Farming Research to investigate the potential for growing potatoes with minimal cultivation by growing them under a mulch and comparing yields to conventional cultivation.
Measuring greenhouse gas emissions
Over the two days, Light Science Technologies will be demonstrating and evaluating a newly deployed field device for measuring greenhouse gas emissions from the soil, giving the project the ability to compare the low input and conventional treatments in terms of their actual contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Aphid predator-attracting plants
Adding a splash of colour to the plots will be a range of aphid predator-attracting plants as a way to control aphid attacks naturally and reduce the requirement for chemical intervention. The Innovate UK funded project is made up of a consortium of key industry, academic and farming partners, including Dyson Farming, Emerald Research Ltd, Bangor University, The James Hutton Institute and Light Science Technologies, assisted by The Sarvari Trust.
Representatives from each of the partners will be on hand throughout the two days to discuss all aspects of the project ranging from potato breeding, crop nutrition, biostimulants and aphid pest control to greenhouse gas field sensors.
Source: Transformative Reduced Input in Potatoes project (TRIP)
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