New trials conducted by the Innovative Farmers field lab in the UK and funded by AHDB will explore the possibility of using high salt water for potato irrigation, in particular drip irrigation.
According to an AHDB press release, irrigation is a prerequisite for producing quality potatoes, especially in arid areas (such as the Holbich Marsh in the UK). And in the future, the importance of artificial irrigation for these territories will only increase. Based on climate forecasts, AHDB suggests that rainfall will become even more irregular and unpredictable, salinization of groundwater reserves will continue, which will lead to greater difficulties in supplying fresh water and affect potato yields.
Given these factors, local producers seek to study new types of irrigation that contribute to reducing water consumption (while maintaining yield indicators) and do not negatively affect soil health.
Potato growers from Nene Potato Ltd have planned testing to irrigate plants with high salt content. Farmers are interested in two key aspects: the influence of salts on soils and the development of plants when irrigated with water with a high salt content.
The tests will be conducted in five fields, under which different conditions will be created: Section A: Drip irrigation with high salt content (2000 ppm); Section B: Drip irrigation with tap water (400 ppm); Section C: Drip irrigation with low salt content (950 ppm); Section D: no irrigation; Section E: Top water irrigation with low salt content (950 ppm).
Based on the test results in all areas, the state of the soils will be analyzed and yield indicators will be recorded. The results will be available at the end of this year.
Innovative Farmers is a not-for-profit membership network for farmers in the UK. The network maintains a website at https://innovativefarmers.org/.