Field day in the new Foulum potato plot
Scientists from KLIMA held an open house arrangement to show their results on precision fertigation in potatoes. The arrangement took place in our new experimental sandy soil field plot.
You need water and food to survive and thrive. The same goes for potatoes and other crops that need the right amounts of water and nutrients at the right time. This is one of the many subjects that scientists in KLIMA are working on. They are developing technology for precision fertigation.
Drip irrigation hoses can distribute water and fertiliser on the basis of information from sensors in the soil. This technology can also be used in other crops to improve water and fertiliser consumption.
The results of their efforts were demonstrated in an open-house arrangement on the fertigation of potatoes on 21 June 2016. This was attended by 29 potato growers, consultants, business people and other potato experts in our new potato field. The potatoes are on the sandy field that has been leased as a replacement for the sandy fields at Jyndevad.
While Mathias N. Andersen is listening, Anton Thomsen explains how a combination of sensors (that measure chlorophyll content), GPS and a laser beam can give a picture of crop height, density and leaf area. This technology can support the farmer in decision-making on irrigation and fertilisation.
The organisers couldn’t have been luckier with the weather. Both the day before and the day after the field day were wet, but on the day itself the sun shone and the visitors could walk on dry ground down through the rows of potatoes.
Guests at the open-house arrangement closely studied the potato plants.
The day started indoors, however, where the guests listened to talks on fertigation – including results from the European FIGARO project that finishes in the autumn – and on sensors for measuring water and nitrogen.
It won’t be long before the potato plants start flowering. Precision fertigation developed in the FIGARO research project can help the producer save energy and water and improve productivity and income.