In April, potato growers must juggle soil preparation, planting, irrigation and phytosanitary protection to ensure a successful harvest. This month is marked by significant climatic variations, directly influencing the development of tubers.
Thanks to Sencrop solutions, it is now possible to optimise each intervention according to ultra-local weather conditions. Find out how Sencrop supports you in your decision-making throughout the season.
Before planting, good soil preparation is essential. Plowing, working the soil to obtain a fine and airy structure, without clods, promotes the emergence and development of tubers. It is important to adapt this preparation to the type of soil. In heavy soils, care must be taken not to create compaction, while in light soils, excessive work must be avoided which could lead to drying out.
The quality of the plants (certified plants, disease-free), the variety chosen according to the market (fries, consumption, etc.) and the desired precocity are major factors for success. This choice must be adapted to your terroir, your production objectives and market requirements.
Growing success begins with planting at the right time.
Planting depth and spacing between plants and rows influence yield and tuber size. Although they vary depending on varieties and purposes, here are some general guidelines:
These parameters must be adjusted depending on the variety, soil type and climate.
Well-drained soil is essential to avoid asphyxiation of young plants and the development of rhizoctonia. The importance of this factor varies depending on the type of soil. Heavy soils retain more water and require special attention to drainage, while light soils can dry out quickly.
🛠️ Recommended tool: The Raincrop station, equipped with temperature sensors in addition to the rainfall meter, allows optimal conditions for planting to be monitored in real time.
Potato irrigation is managed from emergence to topping, taking into account the water status of the soil and the stage of cultivation.
🛠️ Recommended tool: The Soilcrop sensor measures soil humidity, provides a water balance and alerts you in the event of water stress, to help you optimise your irrigation.
The months of April and May are particularly conducive to the development of mildew and early blight, two fungal diseases favored by high humidity and mild temperatures. However, other diseases can also be of concern depending on the regions and climatic conditions, such as common scab which is favored by dry soil at the time of tuberisation.
✅ Treatment strategy: Adapting the application of fungicides according to the weather forecast allows them to maximise their effectiveness while reducing costs.
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potash requirements must be precisely adjusted according to the actual needs of the crops. Excessive fertilisation can lead to imbalances, while a deficiency limits tuber growth.
In certain regions, leaching can be significant, making the practice of fractional additions more relevant to optimise the use of nitrogen.
✅ Recommendation: Base yourself on soil analyzes and adjust contributions according to weather conditions.
✅ Recommended tools: The Windcrop station allows you to precisely monitor the wind on the field. This data is essential for choosing the best treatment windows, that is to say the times when wind conditions are favorable for the application of foliar fertilisers or phytosanitary products, in order to limit drift and guarantee the effectiveness of the intervention.
The month of April is a key period to start a good technical route for your potatoes and maximize their yield. The weather plays a crucial role in every agronomic decision, and the decision support tools integrated into the Sencrop application can help you anticipate risks and optimise your interventions.
➡️ With the Raincrop and Soilcrop stations, monitor the temperature, rainfall and humidity of your plots in real time.
➡️ Benefit from targeted alerts to trigger your treatments and adjust your irrigation.
➡️ Access a network of more than 40,000 stations in Europe to compare your local conditions with those in your region
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