Potato Review

NEWS GRIMME UK Ltd. www.grimme.co.uk Optical sorting can save growers significant amounts of time and money through enhanced performance and reductions in waste/labour costs. TOMRA is widely acknowledged as a leader in optical sorting and the advanced TOMRA 3A system boasts the highest capacity in the market, achieving rates of up to 100 tonnes/hr with an accuracy of 98%. Now, this advanced technology has been incorporated by Haith and GRIMME into a new mobile, modular unit that fits quickly and easily into existing processes. FOR EXAMPLE: • Use in conjunction with the GRIMME RH receiving hopper taking potatoes into store. • Use alongside the GRIMME Cleanloader, ensuring potatoes being loaded are sorted to the highest quality standard. • Use as part of a new or existing grading line that cleans and sorts the incoming crop. • Use exactly when and where you need rapid, accurate sorting. GO OPTICAL WITH Grower increase expected in SOManalysis demand INDEPENDENT provider of agronomic and environmental waste analysis for land-based industries, NRM, has invested in new laboratory equipment to help deal with an expected increase in grower demand for soil organic matter (SOM) analysis as they seek to qualify for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). Business Development Manager Rory Geldard said while many growers carry out soil testing every four years, a lot of standard soil testing does not include soil organic matter analysis, but the SFI requires SOM data as evidence of eligibility. “Just because farmers have had soil testing done on their farms in the last four years, that doesn’t mean they will be qualified for the scheme,” he said. “In fact, only 10% of the soil analysis we have undertaken in the past year has included SOM. We have seen an increase in these samples coming in recently as a result of the Incentive, reflecting growing interest in sustainable farming practices.” The SFI aims to help farmers in England improve food production with environmentally sustainable land management practices. There are currently two standards available with di erent levels and payments, and each has di ering expectations. A third advanced option is expected from DEFRA in due course. To be eligible for the scheme, evidence of soil organic matter analysis within the last five years must be provided. MITIGATINGABIOTIC STRESS USE of seaweed extracts is proving to help minimise crop damage caused by drought and heat stress, according to Samantha Brown, Technical Director for The Crop Smith Ltd. As projections show a trend towards drier summers in the UK, with stronger droughts forecast for southern parts of the UK, drought stress can cause a drop in productivity by impeding nutrient uptake and interfering with water relations. Photosynthesis and the accumulation of biomass are also negatively a ected, she said. “Plants under drought conditions produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) which cause membrane damage and cell death. A good quality seaweed extract is high in antioxidants and will improve drought tolerance by reducing the tissue damage caused by ROS. In addition, seaweed extract foliar sprays advance early establishment and rooting, improving the plant’s ability to access available water,” Samantha said. She pointed out that high temperature has a more damaging e ect on the photosynthetic capacity of C3 plants such as potatoes, wheat, rye, oats, and barley than it does on C4 plants such as maize. “Foliar applications of high quality seaweed extracts directly counter the e ects of heat stress as they contain osmo- protectants like betaine, and phytohormones such as auxin, which co-ordinate plants’ response to heat,” she said. “As we move forward with climate change, understanding and implementing e ective methods to mitigate abiotic stress will become a priority for farmers and growers across the UK.”