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Using IrriMAX to optimize potato yield and quality
IrriMAX software allows users to display data from any source in conjunction with soil moisture. The IrriMAX graph (left) demonstrates how pivot speed in potatoes was managed to correct a situation where stress had resulted due to poor water infiltration. Both inadequate and excess soil moisture can have significant yield, quality and hence economic implications.
Impacts of inadequate moisture:
- Yield loss due to:
- Poor rooting
- Reduced nitrogen uptake resulting in a poor canopy.
- Quality impacts of increased percentage of malformations, sugarends, scab and blade spot.
- High nitrogen resulting in delayed/ shorter and reduced solids.
- Reduced skin set.
- Earlier maturity
Impacts of excess moisture:
Yield loss due to:
- Nitrogen leaching and denitrification and poor aeration will reduce growth.
- Disease (verticillium) susceptibility which shortens bulking period.
Quality impacts of:
- High percentage of hollow heart, rough potatoes.
- Reduced storage time.
- Reduced skin set.
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