Irish Production: from A to Z

R. Allen Straw Specialist Virginia Cooperative Extension Paying Attention to Details

• Economics • Water Requirements • Site Selection • Weed Control • Soil Type • Desiccation • Soil Preparation • Disease Control • Planting Date • Insect Control • Variety • Harvesting • pH • Storing • Fertility • Marketing Economics and Yields

• Production Costs • Yields – Commercial Table – SW VA Stock • 200 cwt / A • $800 to $1,200 / A – Maine – Commercial Seed • 250 cwt / A Stock – Washington • $1,200 to $1,500 / A • 300 to 400 cwt / A – Local Producers – Highest • $400 to $700 / A • 900+ cwt / A Gross Returns – Retail ($ / cwt) Yields 6.00 8.00 10.00 12.00 15.00 18.00 20.00 /Price 100 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,500 1,800 2,000

150 900 1,200 1,500 1,800 2,250 2,700 3,000

200 1,200 1,600 2,000 2,400 3,000 3,600 4,000

250 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,750 4,500 5,000

300 1,800 2,400 3,000 3,600 4,500 5,400 6,000 Gross Returns – Wholesale ($ / cwt) Yields 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 /Price 100 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

150 450 600 750 900 1,050 1,200 1,350

200 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800

250 750 1,000 1,250 1,500 1,750 2,000 2,250

300 900 1,200 1,500 1,800 2,100 2,400 2,700 Markets

• Processing • Chips – Chips – High Specific Gravity – Fries – Light Color • ‘Atlantic’ – Potato Products • ‘Snowden’ • Fresh • Private Varieties – New Potatoes • Fries and Others – Local Sales – High Yield – Wholesale • Russets • ‘’ • Russets Site Selection and Soil Type

• Site Selection • Soil Type – Well drained soil – Sandy or Sandy • Does not hold Loam soils standing water for – 8 to 12 inches of top more than 24 hours after a rain soil – Do not plant into – Underlain with a “new ground” heavier clay layer • Soil insect problems – 3 – 5 year rotation Soil Preparation and Planting

• Soil Preparation • Planting – Make sure soil is free – Date of “trash” and debris • Mid – March to Early – Work as deep as May hills are to be high • Early March? – Hill Height – Spacing • Between Row • Shallow as possible at planting – 36 to 42 inches • 6 to 8 (10) inches by • In-Row seasons end – 6 – 12 inches Pounds of Seed Required / A (based on 2 oz. seed pieces) In-Row / 36 in. 38 in. 40 in. 42 in. Row 6 in. 3,630 3,440 3,270 3,120

8 in. 2,710 2,570 2,430 2,330

10 in. 2,190 2, 070 1,960 1,880

12 in. 1,820 1,720 1,630 1,560 Recommended Varieties

• Red Skinned • White Skinned – ‘Dark ’ – ‘Katahdin’ • Early • Large, mid-season – ‘LaRouge’ – ‘Kennebec’ • Large, main season • Large, main season – ‘Red Lasoda’ – ‘Superior’ • Replacing ‘LaRouge’ • Early, round white – ‘ND2224-5R’ • For Trial • Dark red, main – ‘Salem’ season Recommended Varieties

• Russet • Yellow Flesh – ‘Goldrush’ – ‘Fabula’ • Relatively smooth • Drought tolerant – ‘’ – ‘Keuka Gold’ • Relatively smooth – ‘Yukon Gold’ – ‘Russet Burbank’ • Hollow Heart • Too rought • Heirloom – ‘Russet Norkotah’ – ‘Russian Banana’ • Smoothest – ‘French Fingeling’ Red Skinned Varieties

‘Dark Red Norland’ ‘Red LaSoda’ White Skinned Varieties

‘Kennebec’ ‘Superior’ Yellow Flesh and Fingerlings

‘Yukon Gold’ ‘Banana Fingerling’ 2004 Variety and Irrigation Evaluations • Varieties Evaluated • PES, Crossville, TN – Red • Irrigation • ‘Dark Red Norland’ – Trickle Irrigated • LaRouge’ – Non-Irrigated – White • ‘Kennebec’ • ‘Superior’ • General – Yellow Observations • ‘Fabula’ – With all of the rain, • ‘Keuka Gold’ no irrigation was • ‘Yukon Gold’ needed. Marketable Yield

350 300 250 200 "B" 150 "A" 100

Yield (cwt/A) 50 0

Fabula Superior LaRougeKennebec Keuka GoldYukon Gold

Dark Red Norland Total Yield

350 300 250 200 150 100

Yield (cwt/A) 50 0

Fabula Superior LaRougeKennebec Keuka GoldYukon Gold

Dark Red Norland Average Tuber Weight – “A”

ab a ab ab 8 c bc 7 bc 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Average Weight (oz/tuber)Average Fabula Superior LaRougeKennebec Keuka GoldYukon Gold

Dark Red Norland Summary of 2004 Variety and Irrigation Evaluations • Red • Yellow – ‘Dark Red Norland’ – ‘Keuka Gold’ slightly earlier higher yields – LaRouge’ larger, – ‘Fabula’ lowest yields slightly higher yields – ‘Keuka Gold’ and • White ‘Fabula’ larger than – ‘Kennebec’ larger, ‘Yukon Gold’ slightly higher yields – ‘Fabula’ and Keuka – ‘Superior’ earlier Gold’ less hollow heart Summary of 2004 Variety and Irrigation Evaluations • Yellow (cont.) • In-Furrow Crop – ‘Keuka Gold’ and Protectants ‘Yukon Gold’ darker – Admire 2F @ 1 yellow flesh than pint/A (0.9 to 1.1 fl ‘Fabula’ oz/ 1,000 linear feet – ‘Fabula’ pale yellow of row) flesh – Capture @ 4 fl oz/A – Quadris @ 12 fl oz/A (0.8 fl oz/1,000 linear feet of row) 2006 Variety Evaluations

• Varieties Evaluated • Varieties Evaluated – Red – Yellow • ‘Dark Red Norland’ • ‘Fabula’ • ‘ND2224-5R’ • ‘Keuka Gold’ • ‘’ • ‘Yukon Gold’ – White • Location • ‘Katahdin’ – Dickenson Co., VA • ‘Kennebec’ – Scott Co., VA • ‘Superior’ Total Yield

400 350 300 250 200 150 100

Yield (cwt/A) 50 0

Fabula Katahdin Superior ND2224-5R Kennebec Red Pontiac Keuka GoldYukon Gold

Dark Red Norland Average Tuber Weight

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Average Weight (oz/tuber) Average Fabula Katahdin Superior ND2224-5R Kennebec Red Pontiac Keuka GoldYukon Gold

Dark Red Norland Summary of 2006 Variety Evaluations • Red • Yellow – ‘Dark Red Norland’ – ‘Fabula’ slightly earlier higher yields and – ‘Red Pontiac’ largest largest and highest yields – ‘Fabula’ and Keuka • White Gold’ less hollow heart – ‘Kennebec’ largest – ‘Superior’ earliest – Little yield difference pH

• Soil pH – Range of 5.8 – 6.2 (6.0) • 5.8 – 6.2 – Optimum nutrient availability • Less than 5.8 – Less than optimum nutrient availability • Greater than 6.2 – Nutrients become unavailable – Increased incidence scab – Important & relatively inexpensive!!! Fertility

• Nitrogen (N) – 200 lb/A total • 120 lb/A at planting • 80 lb/A at layby

• Phosphate (P2O5) • Low 240 lb/A Medium 120 lb/A High 60 lb/A

• Potash (K2O) • Low 240 lb/A Medium 120 lb/A High 60 lb/A Water Requirements – Irrigation • Most potatoes in this part of the world have been / are grown utilizing dry land production • Requirements – Small Plants • 1 inch of water/A/week (27,156 gallons/A) – Large Plants • 1 ½ inches of water/A/week (40,734 gallons/A) – First Flower • 2 to 2 ½ inches of water/A/week (54,312 – 67,890 gal./A) – Vine Decline • 1 ½ inches of water/A/week (40,734 gallons/A) Potato Weed Control

• Preplant Burndown – Aim 2EC @ up to 2 fl oz/A – Glyphosate – Paraquat Potato Weed Control (cont.)

• PRE – Dual Magnum @ 1 to 2 pints/A, PRE – Dual II Magnum @ 1 to 2 pints/A, PRE – Eptam 7EC @ 3.5 pints/A, PPI – Lorox 50DF @ 1.5 to 3 lb/A, PRE – Matrix 25WDG @ 1 to 1.5 oz/A, PRE – Outlook 6E @ 12 to 21 fl oz/A, PRE

– Prowl H20 @ 1.5 to 3 pints/A, PRE – Sencor 75DF @ 0.5 to 1.33 lb/A, PRE Potato Weed Control (cont.)

• POST – Matrix 25WDG @ 1 to 1.5 oz/A – Sencor 75DF @ 0.33 to 0.67 lb/A – Poast 1.5 EC @ 1 to 2.5 pints/A – Select Max 1EC @ 9 to 32 fl oz/A • POST-Directed – Aim 2EC @ up to 2 fl oz/A – Roundup Weathermax 5.5L @ 11 to 22 fl oz/A Reflex Herbicide

• Reflex was recently • Timing labeled for use in – PRE, after planting, Irish potatoes but prior to crop • Active Ingredient emergence – fomesafen • Strengths • Rate – Pigweed – Nghtshades – 1 pint/A Potato Crop Desiccation

• Preharvest Desiccation – Desicate II @ 1.5 to 2 quarts/A, 10 day phi – Reglone 2SL @ 1 to 2 pints/A, 7day phi – Rely 1SL @ 3 pints/A, 9 day phi Potato Diseases

• “Seed” Diseases • Foliar Diseases – Fusarium Seedpiece – Early Blight decay – Late Blight – Rhizoctonia Stem Canker – Botrytis Vine Rot – Common Scab – White Mold • Tuber Diseases – Powdery Mildew – Fusarium Tuber Rot – Pink Rot – Pythium Leak Seed Treatments

• Captan • Mancozeb – 5% Dust – Dithane – 7.5% Dust – Manex II – 10% Dust – Manzate • Maxim – Penncozeb – Maxim • Manex 4F – Maxim 4FS • Tops MZ – Maxim MZ • Evolve Foliar Sprays

• Quadris (Amistar) • Acrobat 50WP • Chlorothalonil (Bravo) • Acrobat MZ • Coppers • Endura – Copper hydroxide • Mancozeb (Dithane) – Copper sulfate • Manex 4F – Fatty and rosin acids • Omega • Curzate • Ridomil Gold Bravo • Gem • Ridomil Gold Copper • Gavel • Ridomil Gold MZ • Headline • Rovral • Polyram • SuperTin Potato Insects

• Foliar Insects • Soil Insects – Aphids* – Flea Beetle Larvae* – Armyworms – Blister Beetle – Japanese Beetle – Colorado Potato Beetle* Larvae* – Corn Earworm – White-fringed Beetle* – European Corn Borer – White Grubs* – Flea Beetles – Leafhoppers* – Wireworm* – Loopers – Japanese Beetles – Tarnish Plant Bug Potato Insecticides

• Actara 25WDG • Novodor (Bt) • Admire 2F • Phaser / Thiodan 3EC, • Asana XL 0.66EC 50WP • Diazinon 14G • Platinum 2SC • Dimethoate • Penncap-M 2ME • Di-Syston 15G, 8E • Provado 1.6F • Furadan 4F • Pyrenone • Guthion 50WP • Sevin XLR Plus, 50S, • Imidan 70WSB 80WP • Lannate 2.4LV • SpinTor 2SC • Monitor 4EC • Thimet 20G • Vydate 2L Aphids

• Control – Admire 2F @ 16 fl oz /A – Platinum 2SC @ 5 to 8 fl oz/A – Phaser / Thiodan • 3EC @ 1 quart/A • 50WP @ 1.5 lb/A Colorado Potato Beetle

• Control – Admire 2F @ 1 pint/A – Platinum 2SC @ 5 to 8 fl oz/A – SpinTor 2SC @ 3 to 6 fl oz/A Flea Beetles

• Control – Di-Syston 15G – Di-Syston 8E – Thimet 20G • Suppression – Admire 2F @ 1 pint/A – Platinum 2SC @ 5 to 8 fl oz/A Leafhoppers

• Control – Dimethoate 4EC @ 0.5 to 1 pint/A – Phaser / Thiodan • 3EC @ 1quart/A • 50WP @ 1 to 2 lb/A – Lannate 2.4LV @ 1.5 pints/A – Imidan 70WSB @ 1.33 lb/A Japanese Beetle Larvae

• Suppression – Admire 2F @ 1 pint/A – Imidan 70WSP @ 1.33 lb/A – Platinum 2SC @ 5 to 8 fl oz/A White Fringed Beetle Larvae

• Control – Imidan 70WSB 2 1.33 lb/A Wireworm

• Control – Capture @ 12.5 to 25 fl oz/A – Regent @3.4 fl oz/A – Diazinon – Thimet 20G • Suppression – Admire 2F @ 1 pint/A – Platinum 2SC @ 5 to 8 fl oz/A 2006 In-Furrow Treatments

In-Furrow Application Total Average Percentage Wireworm Crop Rate Yield Tuber Wt. Marketable Damage Protectant (fl oz/A) (cwt/A) (oz) (%) (%) UTC --- 104 bz 5.4 b 25 b 68 a

Admire 2F 16 188 a 7.2 ab 65 a 30 b

Capture 2EC 4 160 ab 7.1 ab 70 a 30 b

Quadris 12 155 ab 7.2 ab 80 a 18 b

Admire 16 190 a 7.3 ab 80 a 10 b Capture 4 Admire 16 184 a 6.8 b 60 a 30 b Quadris 12 Capture 4 144 ab 6.5 b 63 a 25 b Quadris 12 Admire 16 203 a 9.1 a 83 a 18 b Capture 4 Quadris 12 Small Grower Option Harvesting and Grading

• Harvesting • Grading – Desiccate foliage 1 – “A” to 3 weeks prior to • 1 7/8 inch and larger harvest diameter – Dig roots – “B” – Mechanically – Hand • 1 to 1 7/8 inch diameter – Minimize bruises and cuts – Utility – Dig in the waning • Defects moon Storing and Marketing

• Storage • Marketing – Conditions – Wholesale • Temperature • CWT – 40 degrees F – Retail • Relative Humidity • Pound – 90 to 95 % • Bushel (50 lb) For Trial

• Plasticulture production of early potatoes. – Increased yields – Increased earliness – Increased quality • More uniform size • Less cracks (?) Yield – “A” Tubers

200 180 160 140 120 Plastic + Drip 100 Beds + Drip 80 Conventional

Yield (cwt/A) 60 40 20 0 Dark Red Kennebec Norwis Norland Yield – “A” + “B” Tubers

250

200

150 Plastic + Drip Beds + Drip 100 Conventional

Yield (cwt/A) 50

0 Dark Red Kennebec Norwis Norland Yield – Total Tubers

300

250

200 Plastic + Drip 150 Beds + Drip 100 Conventional

Yield (cwt/A) 50 0 Dark Red Kennebec Norwis Norland Plasticulture Bedded Hilled Questions?

• R. Allen Straw 30292 Rhea Valley Rd. Meadowview, VA 24361 Mobile: 931.261.0973 Fax: 276.475.3588 E-mail: [email protected]