InCa boosts potato yields

Plant Impact plc, which specialises in ecologically friendly crop nutrition and crop protection products, has declared very positive trial results from the Companys potato trial programme which was carried out in the UK, the Netherlands and Keyna.

The Dutch trials on six potato varieties compared Plant Impact’s InCa to standard fertiliser application and competing products, with the following results:

• Significant increase in the number of potatoes grown, ranging from 12.3% to 25.6%.
• Substantial increase in yield from 6.7 to 9.4 metric tonnes per hectare.
• Points increase on average of 26.1%. Potato traders in the Netherlands use a point system as an indicator of quality.
• Storage quality of the potatoes also increased.

Also the average increase in under water weight (UWW) and Dry Matter (DM) over control was 4% and 4.8% respectively.

CZAV which is a large agricultural co-operative based in Holland, set out to assess foliar applications of InCa (foliar Calcium feed) compared to an untreated plot and to address the cellular calcium levels of the head of the plants in order to minimise abiotic stresses thereby allowing more storage capacity for each potato plant and therefore increase tuber number, weight and quality.

These results show that InCa increases potato yield and also grower returns.  In addition InCa helped reduce the abiotic stresses that the potato crop goes through from tuber initiation to harvest.

The UK trial results carried out by Howard Farms in Nottinghamshire were also very encouraging:

• 5 applications of InCa increased the calcium content by an average of 35.5% across the two trial fields
• InCa increased the yield into finest grade by an average of 1.2 tonnes per ha.
• InCa had a positive effect on the quality aspects of the potatoes. The skins were cleaner, blemishes were reduced and colour was brighter.

• Skins were firmer leading to less soil being retained by lifted tubers and dry matter was higher and was retained for a longer period.

All these quality parameters support the potatoes market appeal and longevity of shelf life.

Peter Blezard, CEO of Plant Impact, commented: This is just one example of how we can extend the number of crops which use our products with significant commercial value to the grower, the distributor and to Plant Impact. Following on from these excellent field trial results we are extending the number of countries involved in our potato trial programme from three to eight.

InCa

InCa, a Calcium delivery system for crops and plants, is based on Plant Impacts CaT technology which is a special Calcium absorption technique.  InCa is different to all other Calcium containing products as it is much more effective in delivering Calcium and moves it from cell to cell by enhancing the plants own cell wall transport system. It also has the added benefit of fewer applications and lower inputs. In addition to combating stress, it strengthens cell walls, promotes healthy cell division and alleviates physiological problems.  The end result is increased yields, better quality produce and longer shelf life.

Plant Impact

Plant Impact is an innovative green science company specialising in precision crop nutrition, which provides effective solutions for major food issues.  Its unique cutting edge technologies reduce plant stress, increase marketable yield, improve produce quality, prolong shelf life and enhance overall profitability. Its technologies are designed to further the principles of sustainable agriculture and are better for the environment, the grower, and the consumer.