The Innovate UK funded Transformative Reduced Input Potatoes (TRIP) project is holding a farm walk of this year’s nutritional trial plots on the 26th June by kind permission of Colwith Farm Potatoes, at Lostwithiel, Cornwall.
The event kicks off at 12 noon with lunch and an overview of the TRIP nutritional trial results from the last two seasons, before heading into the trial fields to view this year’s nutritional programmes in situ.
The questions that the nutritional trials look to answer are:
- Can we improve upon standard fertiliser programmes?
- Can foliar nutrients replace and reduce the need for soil-applied top dressings?
- Can biostimulants improve performance and reduce pesticide inputs?
The preceding two seasons’ trials have demonstrated that reductions in nitrogen and phosphate levels of 40% are possible while still maintaining or improving on conventionally grown crop yields. The 2025 trials are looking to reduce the level of inputs further.
There will be plenty of opportunity to speak with Chris Dustow of Colwith Farm Potatoes, who are hosting and implementing the trials along with Simon Fox from Emerald Research who have designed and advised on the trials along with a number of agronomists who have been involved with the application of the nutritional programmes trials on commercial farms.
Places on the event can be booked by completing the online form here https://bit.ly/3FlE93P