| Good soil management leads to improved production and yield along with savings in water and nutrient use. It also helps mitigate against erosion and diffuse pollution. It is now a legal requirement covered by cross compliance regulation. |
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Water is essential to potato production. Its abstraction and use contributes to yield and quality. Under the Water Framework Directive, abstraction has been regulated more than previously. Industry must respond to its increased value by ensuring it is used efficiently and by working with regulators at a national and local level. |
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Soil Management - responding to new obligations
Meeting of stakeholders, 6 May 2005
Soil management - sources of information
(links page)
Soil Compaction Reviews
Potatoes are particularly sensitive to compaction, one of the consequences of poor soil management. Read more ...
The Soil Management Initiative is a not-for-profit organisation set up in January 1999 and funded by the EU LIFE fund and SMI members. (Members include private and public sector organisations, and individuals.) Lots of general soil management information and events and a 21 page booklet Visual Soil Assessment:
Soil2Crop - A BPC/HGCA funded supplement in Crops magazine, September 2004, tackling issues relevant to both arable and potato growers, and including an article specific to nitrogen rates on potatoes.
Download (pdf 444Kb) |
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Catchment Sensitive Farming - Capital Grants Scheme (April 2007)
Defra has recently provided details of Capital Grant Schemes for Catchment Sensitive Farming in priority regions. Grants are available for a number of activities ranging from repairing/rebuilding watercourse crossings to fencing schemes that protect buffer strips.
Find out if you are in a priority region. Application forms are available on the site.
Links to water regulations information
Changes to water policy and their effect on the potato industry (Nov. 2003) - 12 page report summarising existing and new legislation. Download (pdf 233Kb)
New Water Legislation and how it will affect all potato irrigators Growers' Advice (Dec. 2003) - Brief introduction to existing and new legislation and potential requirements. Download (pdf 150Kb)
Water Use Poster - are you ready to improve efficiency, protect the environment and avoid prosecution? Simple check list to help you carry out a water audit.
Order from Potato Council Publications
Nutrient Management - The Potato Council fertiliser guide provides RB209 advice on N, P and K levels to minimise your risk of loss. This tool allows you to enter your cropping details and provides you with a print-out of recommended application rates for your records.
R248 Common scab review
R254 Trickle application of nematicides (SAL LK0955)
R257 Improving crop uniformity
R263 Tuber water status and bruising
Reference Crops 1998-2001 - data on irrigated versus unirrigated crops - see reports
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Launched September 2007, the new Soil Information Gateway is one of the key outputs of the Potato Council led Applied Research Forum (ARF) Soil Knowledge Transfer Campaign.