Teagasc has said that potato growers must soil test to secure the use of added phosphate fertiliser this year.
Without the availability of an up-to-date soil test, land will be automatically regarded as having a phosphate (P) index of four.
Under the new fertiliser regulations, this severely limits the application of additional P fertilisers.
Additional phosphate
Teagasc tillage specialist, Shay Phelan, addressed this issue at a recent Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) National Potato Meeting, pointing out that all potato crops will require additional phosphate in order to secure optimal yields.
He also confirmed that confusion still reins, both at merchant and farm level, where the operation of the new fertiliser database is concerned.
Phelan said: “All farmers must register under the scheme if they wish to purchase chemical fertiliser now and into the future.
“The need to develop a nutrient management plan for all crops is also imperative in this context. Teagasc advisors are flat out working on such plans with farmer-clients at the present time.”
Significantly, Phelan explained that fertiliser imports from Northern Ireland are not covered under the aegis of the fertiliser database at the present time.
“But these circumstances might change over the next 12 months,” he added.
“Moreover, department of agriculture inspectors will have the authority to carry out retrospective reviews of farms’ fertiliser procurement practices.”
Potato planting
Given current weather and ground conditions, Phelan does not expect 2024 potato planting operations to be get underway in the foreseeable future.
“One lesson to be learnt from 2023 is for growers to avoid planting potatoes in damp conditions at all costs,” he stressed.
“Taking this approach leads to soil compaction below the levels at which seed potatoes have been planted.
“This results in poor tuber development and a predisposition to myriad disease challanges within the crop canopy.
“Growers should aim to have between 5cm and 8cm of loose clay below the bed into which the seed potatoes are placed.”
According to the Teagasc representative, soil-health-related problems represent a growing challenge for potato growers.
Issues here include Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) and wireworm.
“A big part of the problem is down to the restricted areas of suitable land available to potato growers,” Phelan said.
“Cover crops are a specific issue, where PCN is concerned. Their lush foliage provides the perfect habitat for nematodes.
“Potatoes should not be grown in ground where eelworm is an issue,” he concluded.