Potato Review

32 POTATO REVIEW MARCH/APRIL 2021 SUPPLY CHAIN Branston and Tesco join WWF in drive to review potato farming considerations. Best growing practices in focus I MPROVEMENTS in soil health, water quality and quantity are the focus of a newpotato growing best practice guide bringing together suppliers, farmers and other stakeholders. Branston Ltd, one of the UK’s largest potato suppliers, was invited to assist in compiling the new guide in its capacity as a supplier to a supermarket chainwhich has committed to halving the environmental impact of the average shopping basket. Branston’s Agronomy Director, David Nelson, said: “Potato growing is an intensive farming operation. It’s a crop that demands deep soil operations at less than optimum times during the year, whichmay result in damage to the soil by compaction or erosion during planting cultivations and harvest. Froma water perspective, potatoes account for a high proportion of the UK’s irrigated crop area. We must try to ensure that every drop of water applied gets used by the crop and is not lost through leaching or run-o into the environment. Water sensitive farming is the key for sustainable and responsible water use.” David stresses that everyone involved in the potato sector should recognise that losses of nutrient, soil or water are not only potentially damaging to the environment but also the crop productivity and quality. is all hurts the bottom line, increases waste and damages the image of potatoes as an environmentally-friendly, sustainable enterprise. Branston and Tesco have encouraged their 140 contracted growers to adopt autumn-drilled cover crops, helping to build soil organicmatter levels, reduce soil erosion and capturing nutrients over winter. Last year a trial withNorfolk Rivers Trust encouraged the use of headland bu er strips to capture water run-o and improve biodiversity. “We must try to ensure that every drop of water applied gets used by the crop and is not lost through leaching or run-o .”