Interested in the veiws/experiences of others here.
Assuming I'm crazy enough to keep growing bloody potatoes.......
Polyhalite is fairly well priced and contains K, Mg, So3 and Ca.
The calcium element interests me particularly - in many cases I think it is an underrated nutrient in potatoes. Polyhalite may be an effective way of making better use of it.
Currently we spin MOP and Kieserite (if mg analysis dictates we need to) onto stubbles usually in February, which is incorporated with the OM from cover crops and fym, rather than just ploughed down in a layer.
DAP is placed at planting - we plan on moving to liquid at some juncture, but current profitability suggests that it wont be this year!
Where no Kieserite applied, we'll top dress with AS - something I'd like to avoid - I don't think its the best way to get S to the crop, its an extra pass also.
Balance of N is applied as liquid with the pre em herbicide - the fert seems to improve the efficacy of the herbicide so all good there.
Micro nutrients like mn and ca via the leaf.
I'm thinking 500kg Polyhalite would provide all the sulphur the crop will ever need, a more available form of K (ie sulphate rather than muriate of potash), some mg and calcium.
Obviously more K is required, but no kieserite, no AS top dressing, more available nutrients and less chlorine is appealing, as is lower cost.
Am I missing something? Anyone doing a similar thing?
Cheers, Spud
Assuming I'm crazy enough to keep growing bloody potatoes.......
Polyhalite is fairly well priced and contains K, Mg, So3 and Ca.
The calcium element interests me particularly - in many cases I think it is an underrated nutrient in potatoes. Polyhalite may be an effective way of making better use of it.
Currently we spin MOP and Kieserite (if mg analysis dictates we need to) onto stubbles usually in February, which is incorporated with the OM from cover crops and fym, rather than just ploughed down in a layer.
DAP is placed at planting - we plan on moving to liquid at some juncture, but current profitability suggests that it wont be this year!
Where no Kieserite applied, we'll top dress with AS - something I'd like to avoid - I don't think its the best way to get S to the crop, its an extra pass also.
Balance of N is applied as liquid with the pre em herbicide - the fert seems to improve the efficacy of the herbicide so all good there.
Micro nutrients like mn and ca via the leaf.
I'm thinking 500kg Polyhalite would provide all the sulphur the crop will ever need, a more available form of K (ie sulphate rather than muriate of potash), some mg and calcium.
Obviously more K is required, but no kieserite, no AS top dressing, more available nutrients and less chlorine is appealing, as is lower cost.
Am I missing something? Anyone doing a similar thing?
Cheers, Spud
