Combat heat stress to protect yield
As temperaturs soar, potato crops will come under increasing stress that could significantly reduce yield. Four years of independent trials show applying biostimulant Bridgeway helps to combat the effects of heat stress and adds significantly to yield. This makes Bridgeway a valuable tool for growers this season with temperatures already at stress levels.
Stress-busting benefits confirmed for 4th year
Keeping potatoes stress-free is not an easy task, with crops often subjected to prolonged heat stress periods at key growth timings. Replicated trials conducted by CMI Ltd in 2017-2019 and Green Crop Information (part of Dyson Farms) in 2021 have shown that mean temperatures regularly exceed the optimum of 20ºC, impacting the rate of tuber bulking and final yield. Applying Bridgeway keeps bulking rates up and adds significantly to yield.
Bridgeway can increase bulking by +2.2 t/ha per week
With the potato tuber being mainly composed of photoassimilates, mostly starch, any mechanism to stimulate photosynthesis and translocation of the end product to the underground stem offers the possibility to increase tuber yield. Biostimulant applications applied at the onset of bulking have the greatest potential to mitigate the effects of stress on the crop’s bulking and yield potential.
Potatoes start to suffer at 25C
- Potato potential including the number of progeny tubers and the rate of tuber bulking is established early in the season at about the time tubers reach 10mm in size. Stressful growing conditions during this time can therefore have a big influence on crop yield.
- Once tuber bulking has started, the rate cannot be increased but can be reduced or interrupted by stress.
- The earlier in the season heat stress occurs, the more negative its impact on the growth and yield.
- Every 5ºC increase above the optimum temperature of 20ºC can decrease the rate of photosynthesis by 25%.
- Potatoes start to suffer from high temperature stress as temperatures exceed 25ºC, when the rate of photosynthesis begins to decline, significantly reducing the partitioning of sucrose translocation to tubers.
- Heat stress can therefore reduce the rate of bulking, at 30ºC it can pause it altogether as the rate of energy used by respiration to keep cool, exceeds the rate at which energy is produced by photosynthesis.
- Applying Bridgeway will help.
Keep potatoes bulking with Bridgeway
To protect crops, apply Bridgeway at 2.0 L/ha any time from stolon tip swelling.
Repeat in season to eliminate abiotic stress, stimulate growth and enhance translocation of assimilates to tubers.
Apply 2-3 applications for best result.
Target applications before prolonged heat stress is forecast to protect crops.
Bridgeway is available to purchase through HL Hutchinsons.
Sister product Zonda is available to purchase through Agrii.
Need more information
For information on Bridgeway and to see our trials results, please download our latest handbook here.
If you’d rather speak with our technical manager, please contact Will below.
