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Impact of Yield Improvement Projects on Potato Yields

This presentation outlines the background, objective, team, projects, and results of the NB Potato Industry Transformation Initiative. The projects include mapping yield variation, in-furrow decompaction, nurse crop, compost, and deep tillage. The results show the positive effects of these projects on potato yields. Key learnings include the reduction of compaction, improved water infiltration, and increased soil moisture levels.

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Impact of Yield Improvement Projects on Potato Yields

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  1. EFFECT OF SELECT YIELD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ON POTATO YIELDS “NB Potato Industry Transformation Initiative”

  2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE THE BACKGROUND THE OBJECTIVE THE TEAM THE PROJECTS OVERVIEW AND RESULTS SUMMARY KEY LEARNINGS

  3. THE BACKGROUND

  4. THE OBJECTIVE • Improve profitability and competitiveness through mitigation of limitations to potato yield • Increase total yield by 45 cwts/acre in 5 years

  5. THE TEAM • Potatoes New Brunswick • McCain Foods (Canada) • Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada • Ventus Geospatial • Eastern Canada Soil & Water Conservation Center • NB Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries • McCain Fertilizer • Grower Cooperators

  6. THE PROJECTS Mapping Yield Variation In-Furrow Decompaction Nurse Crop Compost Deep Tillage

  7. THE PROJECTS Fall Cover Crop Fumigation Yield Monitor

  8. MAPPING YIELD VARIATION • Mapping done using remote sensing imagery collected by drone • Total of 15 fields included in project in 2013 • Total of 17 fields included in 2014 • Imagery collected at several times • Bare soil (variation in soil properties) • Early season (early canopy development) • Late season (canopy senescence)

  9. MAPPING YIELD VARIATION • Drone used to collect imagery

  10. MAPPING YIELD VARIATION • Sampling locations selected in each field • Based on early season imagery • Chosen to have “good”, “intermediate” or “poor” growth • Total and marketable tuber yield was determined at each location

  11. SELECTING SAMPLING LOCATIONS Typical Field Layout- Sampling points selected based on Brightness Index (BI)

  12. GENERAL INFORMATION • Projects established in the fall 2013 or spring 2014 • All data collected at preselected sites reflecting potential yield variability based on aerial imagery • Measurements of the developing crop • Soil moisture/temperature • Petiole sampling • Soil compaction • Soil Sampling • Yield (2 x 10-ft. strips @ 6 paired locations)

  13. YIELD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS2014

  14. In-Furrow Decompaction • Reduce compaction, increase water infiltration, reduce runoff and accumulation of water in low spots • After Planting – 1 site, approx. 0.75 acre • Two weeks after planting • Depth of 8 inches

  15. In-Furrow Decompaction

  16. In-Furrow Decompaction

  17. Effect of In-Furrow Decompaction onR. Burbank Yield at One Site, NBPITI, 2014

  18. Nurse Crop • Improve water holding capacity, reduce surface runoff and minimize water accumulation in low lying areas • Seeded immediately before planting • 1 site (0.5 acre) • Winter rye @ approx. 100 #/acre

  19. Nurse Crop

  20. Nurse Crop

  21. Effect of Nurse Crop on Shepody Yieldat One Site, NBPITI, 2014

  22. Compost Project • Increase organic matter, improve water retention, enhance soil health • 3 sites: 2 in Florenceville area, 1 in Grand Falls area • Applied before planting @ 25 tons/acre

  23. Compost Project

  24. Effect of Compost on R. Burbank Yieldat Three Sites, NBPITI, 2014

  25. Deep Tillage • Reduce compaction, improve drainage, increase rooting depth and nutrient absorption • Fall 2013 • 2 sites @ 14 in. • 3 sites @ 14 and 20 in. • Spring 2014 • 3 sites @ 14 in.

  26. Fall Deep Tillage

  27. Effect of “Fall Deep Till” at 14 in. onR. Burbank Yield at Two Sites, NBPITI, 2014

  28. Effect of “Fall Deep Till” at 14 and 20 in. onR. Burbank Yield at Three Sites, NBPITI, 2014

  29. Effect of “Spring Deep Till” at 14 in. on Yield at Three Sites, NBPITI, 2014

  30. RESULTSSUMMARY

  31. Effect of Soil Remediation Projects on Total Yield,Average Gain/Loss vs. Control, All Sites, NBPITI, 2014

  32. Effect of Soil Remediation Projects on Total Yield,Average Gain/Loss vs. Control, All Sites, NBPITI, 2014

  33. Effect of Soil Remediation Projects on Total Yield,Average Gain/Loss vs. Control, All Sites, NBPITI, 2014

  34. Effect of Soil Remediation Projects on Total Yield,Average Gain/Loss vs. Control, All Sites, NBPITI, 2014

  35. Effect of Soil Remediation Projects on Total Yield,Average Gain/Loss vs. Control, All Sites, NBPITI, 2014

  36. Effect of Soil Remediation Projects on Total Yield,Average Gain/Loss vs. Control, All Sites, NBPITI, 2014

  37. Key Learnings • In-Furrow Decompaction • Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone

  38. Key Learnings • In-Furrow Decompaction • Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone • Nurse Crop • Reduced surface runoff, improved water infiltration and increased soil moisture level in the hill

  39. Key Learnings • In-Furrow Decompaction • Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone • Nurse Crop • Reduced surface runoff, improved water infiltration and increased soil moisture level in the hill • Compost • Important site and zone response to treatment • Higher yielding fields/zones responded best to compost application

  40. Key Learnings • In-Furrow Decompaction • Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone • Nurse Crop • Reduced surface runoff, improved water infiltration and increased soil moisture level in the hill • Compost • Important site and zone response to treatment • Higher yielding fields/zones responded best to compost application • Deep Tillage • Best yield response observed in heavier soil types • Difference observed between fall and spring likely related to soil moisture level more than season • Probably not necessary to go as deep as 20 inches

  41. Healthy soils are critical for global food production, but we are not paying enough attention to this important “silent partner”

  42. THE MESSAGE …?

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