Consistently higher margins, whatever potato harvest you have experienced, have been borne out of the latest trials results of a tried and tested nutrient supplement. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, FTC1 has given growers a reliable marketable yield increase of 12.27%(1), on average, according to Masstock group FTC1 product manager Peter Jones.

“No two harvests could have been more different than last year’s and the one many growers have been struggling to get out of the ground,” says Mr Jones. “But our trials results suggest those who have used FTC1 are seeing the same reliable improvement in performance from their crop.” 

FTC1 is a zinc ammonia formulation that stimulates root development and light interception for maximum crop productivity. Independent trials have shown this helps the plant take up and retain key nutrients, ensuring the crop manages environmental stress and increases productivity. These benefits have helped growers achieve consistently higher performance, especially this year, when in-field conditions have see-sawed, notes Mr Jones.

“Across the trials, FTC1 returned a marketable increase in yield over the control plots of 10.43% to 15.85%. We had very similar results in 2003 and in previous years. In practice this means either earlier lifting to catch a valuable market, a better skin finish or just more tonnage off the field.”

The secret to the product’s success is the flexibility it gives to growers, explains Mr Jones. “The most difficult thing to do nutritionally is to get the timing right. FTC1 is applied at planting and works by promoting earlier growth of sturdier plants with a bigger, more fibrous root which are better equipped to take up applied nutrients. This removes the variability in performance you sometimes get.”

Mr Jones, who is also an agronomist with Shropshire-based JB Agronomy (2), points out that growers should always observe RB209 fertiliser guidelines and only apply according to crop requirements. “You must take the nutrient value of applied manures into account and not fall into the trap of following it up with too much fertiliser. Growers in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones must now complete a Manure Management Plan and, with Cross Compliance coming in, it’s going to become increasingly important to be able to justify any nutrient applications you make.”