Written by Charlotte Cunningham
No-till potatoes grown under a straw mulch could help farmers to restore degraded arable soils cost-effectively if used as a cash crop within a regenerative cropping rotation, according to trial findings from ProCam. Charlotte Cunningham reports. Presenting results from a four year trial at the recent Groundswell conservation agriculture event, Richard Harding from Cambs-based firm ProCam told growers that revenue from the potatoes would offset the cost of importing straw, creating a viable route to more sustainable production. “Our first step was to grow a high biomass cover crop,” he said, “As this is an essential entry into the no-till potatoes. Then, we placed the potato tubers on the surface and created a mulch by unrolling and fluffing up round bale straw at a rate of around 34t/ha. “Through this method, we achieved a potato crop of 46t/ha of saleable tubers, so about 75% of a normal crop yield but without the high cost of conventional cultivations. Tuber size range was more variable than from a crop grown conventionally, so finding a market for mid-range potatoes will help to maximise the returns, or the system would work well for producing seed potatoes. “Following potatoes, we’ve strip tilled the ground and…
The post No-till potato trials show role in soil regeneration appeared first on cpm magazine.
Continue reading on CPM website...
If you are enjoying what you read then why not considering subscribing:
