Potato types

There is a wide range of different types of potato with some 85 genera and nearly 3000 species worldwide.

Potato Cultivars

Although most cultivars are white or yellow fleshed and have white skins, there are a wide range of colour variations. Potatoes are largely cool season crops, produced under optimal average temperatures that range from 10-20°C.

The tubers are susceptible to freezing and need to be lifted prior to the onset of autumn or winter frosts. In most regions, yields are best when seed is planted shortly after the last frost. This ensures a long growing season. In areas with no risk of frost, potatoes can be cropped all year round.

The information on this website concentrates upon the ‘white potato’ – Solanum tuberosum – which is the most widely grown potato.

Potato Varieties

Potato varieties are either determinate or indeterminate in nature. Indeterminate varieties will carry on growing for longer and, in some growth environments, will need some form of management to stop leaf and stem growth, prior to harvesting.

Desiccation or crop haulm destruction in indeterminate varieties should be timed to maximize yield and tuber quality characteristics.

Recommended Yara fertilisers for potatoes

MAINCROP S

14-5.7-17.4 + 2.2% S - A quality size matched NPK plus S size matched blended fertiliser, ideal for use for potato production due to the ratio in the of N P and K whilst including a useful amount of sulphur.

YaraLiva TROPICOTE

15.5% N + 18.8% Ca - Granular calcium nitrate fertiliser for field application to a wide range of crops.

YaraMila COMPLEX

12-4.8-14.9 + 8% S - Prilled NPK fertiliser which also contains magnesium and sulphur as well as micronutrients ideal for use on a wide range of arable and horticultural crops.

YaraVita MANTRAC PRO

A flowable liquid micronutrient fertiliser containing 500 g/l of manganese for application as a foliar spray or seed treatment to a wide range of crops to treat or prevent manganese deficiency.

YaraVita MAGPHOS K

A liquid fertiliser containing a high concentration of phosphate together with potash and magnesium for foliar application to potatoes and other crops.

YaraVita MAGFLO 300

A flowable liquid fertiliser containing 300 g/l magnesium for foliar application to cereals and potatoes or treat magnesium deficiency in a wide range of crops.

YaraVita CROPLIFT PRO

A foliar fertiliser containing multiple nutrients and micronutrients for foliar application to a wide range of crops during times of stress or periods of rapid growth.

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How to influence potato quality

There are three main criteria which define the quality of potato: tuber quality, skin finish and storage and cooking quality. A balanced crop nutrition program is important to help manage all of these criteria.

Potato market requirements

Generally, it is no longer possible to plant a potato crop and aim for a general market. Growers now have to adapt their agronomic management to produce a high yielding crop that fulfills the specific quality requirements of the marketplace.

See all potato nutrition articles

Potato agronomy advice

Establishing potatoes successfully

As with any other crop, good nutrition is key to securing a healthy potato crop, one that will return good yield and high quality and ultimately achieve a better profit margin for you.

YaraAmplix Optitrac helps combat stress in potatoes

There are many types of biostimulants on the market, each with different purposes. Yara's biostimulant products focus on is enhancing tolerance to abiotic stresses such as extreme temperatures or drought. They contain bioactive components that help the plant mitigate the effects of stress.

Biostimulants increase marketable yield of potatoes

Biostimulant products trigger natural plant processes that enhance nutrient use efficiency. Improved plant growth and abiotic stress tolerance help the plants to remain vigorous in hostile growing conditions so the farmer can generate better yield and quality.

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Looking for even more information ...

If you would like more information on potato agronomy or nutrition and would like to speak to one of our area managers or agronomists please find all their contact details here

Contact your local Yara area manager or agronomist

Where can I buy Yara fertiliser ...

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