Potatoes - Farm Frites, Poland
Inputs
Agrochemical Use
Potato blight is the worst disease problem challenging the potato grower and can wipe out plants almost overnight.
Many countries have national programmes for reporting and assessing the risk of blight (e.g. Blightwatch in the UK), but as there are no such systems currently available in Poland the use of technology is essential. Farm Frites works closely with their growers and all blight outbreaks on farm are reported, assessed and action taken only when necessary.
To this end Farm Frites has introduced the Dacom PLANT-Plus system, a decision support mechanism for the management control of blight which provides a predictive disease risk assessment for the coming days. The system then recommends when to spray and what type of chemical to use, whether contact, translaminar or systemic. PLANT-Plus enables effective spraying programmes thereby supporting the optimal possible use of chemicals for the control of blight. The benefits of the system have been clearly demonstrated in field trials and commercial evaluations by leading potato producers.
Optimal fungicide spraying minimises negative environmental impact while maximising yield.
All staff applying pesticides are trained and licensed. This license has to be renewed every three years with the added requirement of an annual operator health check. Spraying equipment is required to be inspected and calibrated every three years under current legislation. The management at Farm Frites have taken the decision to have this calibration undertaken annually on all of their sprayer machines to ensure optimum operation and application during every season.
Innovative technology and efficient calibration has resulted in reduced fungicide use, minimising cost and negative environmental impact, and maximising yield.
Fertiliser Use
Careful attention to fertiliser application is an important first step towards maximising both profitable agricultural production and environmental protection. To ensure the farm’s fertiliser applications are based on good practice and sound data, routine soil testing for phosphate, potash, magnesium and acidity (pH) are undertaken every four years.
Soil samples are sent to a laboratory and the results are plotted on a digital map which gives detailed information about the fields and identifies where fertilisers are needed. The application of fertilisers is achieved by using a Global Positioning System (GPS). The GPS system enables accurate field positions to be determined and fertilisers can then be applied in accordance to the digital maps. fertiliser is therefore targeted on areas that need it, better matching crop requirements, and preventing over-application which can be both environmentally damaging and costly.
Optimal fertiliser application results in minimal negative environmental impacts and minimised wastage (and therefore reduced costs).