Potato harvest under agrotextile has been completed in the south: how was the yield?
19 June 12:41
Potato farmers in Ukraine’s southern regions have finished harvesting early potatoes grown under agricultural fabric. Currently, farms in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions are continuing to harvest crops in open fields. This was reported by Agrico Ukraine, a company that distributes Dutch potato varieties, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
Field work continues despite regular air raid alerts, attacks by Russian drones, and disruptions to navigation systems.
What is the potato yield in the south?
Agrico Ukraine reported that current yields in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions range from 19 to 23 metric tons per hectare.
Figures may vary depending on the variety, irrigation system, soil conditions, planting dates, and the impact of spring weather.
The completion of the potato harvest under agrotextile means that produce from open-field crops will increasingly enter the market.
Which variety was harvested first
Farmers began harvesting the ultra-early “Riviera” variety first.
Next in the ripening sequence are:
- “Ranom”;
- “Arizona”;
- “Twister”;
- “Aluette.”
According to experts, these varieties are also showing good growth rates and have the potential to produce a high-quality harvest.
How the spring cold snap affected potatoes
The spring temperature drop affected tuber formation.
For the “Riviera” and “Ranomi” varieties, each plant typically produces six to eight tubers. For the “Arizona” variety, this number is higher—ranging from nine to eleven.
Farmers also observed the elongation of stolons and the onset of a second wave of stolon formation.
Stolons are underground shoots at the ends of which potato tubers form. Their active growth can influence the quantity and size of the future harvest.
Rainfall Aided Plant Growth
Recent moderate rainfall, combined with mineral nutrients, has promoted more active potato growth.
Farmers continue to irrigate their fields and apply fertilizers along with water. They use sprinkler systems and drip irrigation for this purpose.
Regularly supplying plants with moisture is especially important for southern Ukraine, where a lack of rainfall and high temperatures can significantly reduce yields.
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How Farmers Protect Potatoes from Diseases
Growers have applied two or three fungicide treatments to curb the spread of late blight and Alternaria.
Late blight can infect leaves, stems, and tubers, spreading rapidly in humid weather.
Alternaria also damages the leaves and weakens the plants, which can lead to lower yields and poorer potato quality.
Timely crop protection helped growers avoid significant losses.
Why Growers Switched Herbicides
This season, some farms stopped using metribuzin-based soil herbicides.
Instead, farmers used products containing the following active ingredients:
- metobromuron;
- flurochloridone;
- promethrin;
- pendimethalin.
According to experts, this approach helped avoid phytotoxicity and herbicide stress.
The “Twister” variety may be particularly sensitive to certain herbicides; along with the “Jolin” variety, it is showing high potential this season.
How the War Is Affecting Farmers’ Work
Field work in the south continues amid constant danger.
Farmers are facing:
- air raid alerts;
- attacks by Russian drones;
- satellite navigation disruptions;
- risks to workers and equipment;
- additional costs for logistics and irrigation.
Despite this, farms continue to harvest and supply the Ukrainian market with new potatoes.
What Will Happen to New Potato Prices
As the supply of the new harvest increases, new potatoes in Ukraine are gradually becoming cheaper.
The arrival of open-field produce on the market may reinforce this trend. As harvest volumes increase, sellers and farmers are forced to adjust prices.
At the same time, the final price of potatoes will depend on yields in other regions, weather conditions, and costs related to irrigation, fertilizers, plant protection, fuel, and transportation.
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