Maintaining or improving the yield, quality and storage characteristics of root vegetables is vital in ensuring economic returns for the farmer and minimising wastage when in storage. By considering the soil type, climatic conditions and the eventual use of the crop we are able to choice the correct programme of products to maximise output.

A number of different biostimulants are available with which can adapt the physiology of the crop and give additional benefits over and above normal fertiliser usage.

Correctly time applications of Phosphate based products such as Nutriphos, ZincPhos, MagPhos or Lamina can increase tuber number in potatoes. This can be particularly useful on varieties which have low tuber number potential or on crops grown for seed production. Protaplex and Joust are able to stimulate bulking of ware varieties whilst Numerica NPK 8-8-6 improves overall yield by the general improvement in plant health and resistance to disease.

In Potatoes, correctly timed applications of Datum Ca can also increase dry matter content which is important for crops grown for processing.

Improvements in internal quality and subsequent lower wastage in storage will be obtained by treatments with Boron and Zinc. The same will apply to a number of Beet crops.

The use of Datum Ca on carrots will help to balance Calcium nutrition, leading to a reduction in Cavity Spot and a higher saleable yield whilst all root crops grown on soils prone to deficiency will benefit from either single micronutrient sprays of Orbit or Fusion. Alternative the multinutrient Fusion Tracer can be used.

Potatoes remove large quantities of Potassium and a shortage can lead to a reduction in Dry Matter, and increases in discolouration, either caused by bruising at the time of lifting or subsequent blackening when cooked. Orbit K Ultra applied as a foliar spray at the time of peak demand (40-60 days after emergence) will help supplement soil uptake, should this be limiting.