YaraLiva Tropicote reduced the incidence of internal defects

Aims of the Trial

Main aim to of the field trial was to reduce the incidence of Internals but especially Internal rust spot (physiological defects which appears as small brown spots within the tubers) in the very susceptible variety Maris Piper by applying YaraLiva Tropicote. 

Secondary aims were to see if there were any other benefits in Yield and quality (Skin finish, bruising) The farm has previously experienced patches within fields growing Maris Piper of the Calcium deficiency symptom known as Internal rust spot which has had some knock-on effects of marketing the crop.

Field Trial information and product application: 

YaraLiva Tropicote is a Calcium Nitrate fertiliser (15.5% N + 26.3% CaO) which when applied at tuber initiation has evidence of increasing Calcium within the cell walls and therefore reducing the incidence of Internals. Based on this evidence, if the trial shows a reduced incidence of internal defects, then this could form part of the nutrition programme for growing Maris Piper on the farm in the future.

Some of the key findings from the trial were:

• When YaraLiva Tropicote was applied at Tuber Initiation there was a reduction in both IRS and hollow heart by 3%
• This reduction helped reduce potential rejections and increase marketable yields
• When comparing YaraLiva Tropicote to other products without soluble calcium there was a yield increase of 2.76t/ha
• Therefore overall, use of YaraLiva Tropicote reduced the incidence of internal defects, leading to higher levels of marketable yield (less rejections) as well as increasing the overall yield of the crop