Spudman January 2023 - 37

Left, irrigation and row width research will begin this year. Right, a researcher checks planting depth in 28-inch rows.
assistant professor studying potato agronomy and new
varieties at the University of Idaho in Aberdeen. Pavek's
research is particular to the Columbia Basin and may not
carry over to other potato-growing regions that are either
not well-irrigated or simply rain fed. Because of this,
growers are advised to exercise caution, because in areas
that are short on water, it may not be possible to add too
many more plants per acre.
This process will take time as well, just as with different
potato varieties that gain popularity. Pavek likens it to
Clearwater Russet, a variety introduced in 2007 that is
now, 15 years later, starting to show notable growth in
the marketplace. As such, Clearwater Russet
and other varieties are also being investigated
in the study to see if they show any measurable
differences in regard to row width and water use.
" We will be able to model the water use of
these varieties when grown under different
densities. So, if water becomes short in a
particular region, perhaps we can change
our plant populations to match the water
availability, " Pavek said.
The idea is to see how, with different plant
populations, growers can still get a good base
size profile for marketability, even if yields might
be down due to restricted water availability.
The study will highlight varieties that handle all
kinds of conditions - stable varieties that can
withstand weather extremes.
" We're trying to make lemonade out of lemons,
basically with the water situation, " Pavek said.
The reduced row width during the last study
had no discernable downside regarding disease
or pest infestation. The research looked for
disease, and based on yields and postharvest
analysis, the research team didn't find anything
concerning.
Fertilization didn't change from the industry
standard during the past study, only the row
spacing changed. All row width treatments
received the same industry standard fertilizer
application rate. The narrower rows still had an
increased yield.
Spudman.com 37
All of these elements - row width, variety and water use -
are important to the sustainability of the crop, and Pavek's
team will model the water use for these three factors in an
effort to better guide future cultural management decisions.
Regarding the big picture, Pavek added, " The best way
we can do sustainability research is by identifying new
varieties that yield better, handle disease better, have
more resistance, are more fertilizer efficient and more
water efficient. I think that's where we see the biggest
improvement - through new varieties. However, once
we identify better varieties, then we must determine how
best to grow them. "

http://www.ezratek.com http://www.Spudman.com

Spudman January 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spudman January 2023

Spudman January 2023 - 1
Spudman January 2023 - 1A
Spudman January 2023 - 2A
Spudman January 2023 - 2
Spudman January 2023 - 3
Spudman January 2023 - 4
Spudman January 2023 - 5
Spudman January 2023 - 6
Spudman January 2023 - 7
Spudman January 2023 - 8
Spudman January 2023 - 9
Spudman January 2023 - 10
Spudman January 2023 - 11
Spudman January 2023 - 12
Spudman January 2023 - 13
Spudman January 2023 - 14
Spudman January 2023 - 15
Spudman January 2023 - 16
Spudman January 2023 - 17
Spudman January 2023 - 18
Spudman January 2023 - 19
Spudman January 2023 - 20
Spudman January 2023 - 21
Spudman January 2023 - 22
Spudman January 2023 - 23
Spudman January 2023 - 24
Spudman January 2023 - 25
Spudman January 2023 - 26
Spudman January 2023 - 27
Spudman January 2023 - 28
Spudman January 2023 - 29
Spudman January 2023 - 30
Spudman January 2023 - 31
Spudman January 2023 - 32
Spudman January 2023 - 33
Spudman January 2023 - 34
Spudman January 2023 - 35
Spudman January 2023 - 36
Spudman January 2023 - 37
Spudman January 2023 - 38
Spudman January 2023 - 39
Spudman January 2023 - 40
Spudman January 2023 - 41
Spudman January 2023 - 42
Spudman January 2023 - 43
Spudman January 2023 - 44
Spudman January 2023 - 45
Spudman January 2023 - 46
Spudman January 2023 - 47
Spudman January 2023 - 48
Spudman January 2023 - 49
Spudman January 2023 - 50
Spudman January 2023 - 51
Spudman January 2023 - 52
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/SPUD/spudman-november-december-2022
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/SPUD/january-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/SPUD/november-december-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/SPUD/january-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/SPUD/november-december-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/SPUD/september-october-2019
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