The cultivation of organic potatoes

The necessary practices for growing potatoes :

Soil preparation

Bottom fertilization

Sowing and disinfestation

Tamping

Defense against fungi and insects

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Tillage and preparation of the seedbed:

The potato is a tuber that forms and grows in the soil.

To encourage this activity, it is necessary to have a soil that is not compact and well chopped so as to allow the roots an easy exploration and maximum root expansion on which the tubers will then form. The more roots you develop,  the more potatoes you will harvest; therefore, it will be necessary to work at least 30 cm deep, level it to avoid stagnation, and prepare the seeding furrows, taking care to step on and compact as little as possible.  

Basic fertilization:

Although the potato is a crop that can be adapted to different soil conditions, the ideal condition is that of a slightly acidic pH.  It also lives well in neutral or sub-alkaline soils and in these cases, if necessary,  corrections can be made.

Given its production capacity, robust bottom fertilization is the essential prerequisite for achieving important results:                          

Practice allowed in bio: 

Polysulphate  dose: 5 to 10 ql/ha

Orgakem 6-11-8 dose: 5 to 10 ql/ha                                                                                 

the minimum dose if localized fertilization is done, if instead the entire surface is fertilized, the highest dose must be used.

Conventional Farming:

Agromaster 12-12-22  from 4 to 8 ql/ha + Prodigy Plus from 6 to 12 ql/ha                             

We suggest high quality products and significant doses, always with the awareness that the potato is a very generous crop, so  a good bottom fertilization is an essential condition for having a healthy, robust and  productive plant. 

We are convinced, and many studies confirm it, that a well-nourished plant is a plant that tolerates attacks by abiotic agents and diseases much  better. Obviously, it is not only fertilizer that is the source of nutrition for the plant; a  primary role is, in fact,  played by water. It will be necessary to guarantee the plant constant and sufficient humidity, never excessive.     

A further  contribution of fertilizer can be made during tamping, the same used for sowing.                               

However, it will be advisable to observe the general growth and color of the leaves, in order to be able to make any corrections in case different needs are perceived.

Sowing and disinfestation:                                                                                       

To  prevent and protect the sown tubers from attacks by wireworms  and potato moths, it will be necessary to distribute in the seeding furrow, together with fertilizers:                                                                                                   

Klozer G 20 kg/ha + Micosat F UNO at 10 kg/ha, or if a hose or dripline has been placed, the following can be distributed:                                                                                     

Mebov at 4-5 lt/ha+ Micosat F MO WP  at 5 kg/ha                           

We consider the first solution advisable, particularly if the soil at sowing is fresh and sufficient for the germination of potatoes to avoid soil compaction and excess humidity. With this intervention we have administered fungi and bacteria USEFUL MICROORGANISMS  that will multiply ensuring a long defense against molds, underwires, beetle larvae, and wireworms in general.

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Tamping:                                                                                                   

It is a very important practice with different purposes. Tamping removes and oxygenates the soil at the same time so as to eliminate the weeds that suffocate the plant. This operation allows you to increase the layer  It also increases the thickness of soil above the tubers, hiding the tubers born superficially from sunlight which  favors the production of solanine. In addition to making the pipes less exposed to attacks by Tignola  Nasco+nde and also protects the tubers from potato moth. 

Defense against fungi and insects:                                                              

Potato doryphora, downy mildew and the various viruses are certainly the worst enemies of the potato.                                                           

In case of strong presence of doryphora:                                                                                 

DMP control at 100 cc/hl                                                                          

Dow laser at 30 cc/hl                                                                    

Kendal TE at 200 cc/hl                                                                

Lecithin 80MS at 100 cc/hl

At the first appearances you can intervene with:                                                 

DMP control at 100 cc/hl                                                                              

Costar at 100 gr/hl                                                                   

Kendal TE at 200 cc/hl                                                                      

Lecithin 80MS at 100 cc/hl   

Alternate with:                                                                                

Biobacter at 100 cc/hl                                                                              

Costar at 100 gr/hl                                                                   

Silver at 200 cc/hl                                                                      

Lecithin 80MS at 100 cc/hl

It is always recommended to acidify the solution (Control DMP or Biobacter) and to always use an anti-bactericidal adhesive wetting agent (Lecithin 80MS).

Nematodes                                                                                         

Against nematodes,  the following can be used at sowing:                                  

Nemguard Granules at a dose of 20-25 kg/ha                                             

to the whole earth. If the intervention is localized, reduce the dose in proportion to the area invested.                                                                                  

Moth                                                                                                  

it can do damage to the leaves and tubers. (With the fight against the doriphora, the moth is also controlled)

Elaterids: underwires, beetle, mole                                                cricket

The preventive defense carried out at sowing with Klozer G can guarantee defense until harvesting, but if it is considered to carry out an additional safety intervention, it can still  be used during tamping. Or, if it is possible to carry out fertigation with a hose, the following can be used:                                                                                         

Mebov at 3-4 lt/ha                                                                                   

Carbogen at 4 lt/ha                                                                       

Micosat F LEN at 4 kg/ha                                                                             

(Micosat LEN in case you want to intervene against nematodes)