Washington-Oregon Potato Conference
Does Early Planting Pay Off? Story and photos by Denise Keller, Editor
T
he early bird may not always get the worm. The effects of early planting and best management practices for seed were the focus of a well-received presentation at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference, held Jan. 21-23 in Kennewick, Washington. Presenter Rick Knowles, a professor of horticulture at Washington State University, discussed the ways in which planting date affects crop growth and development, yield and quality.
Best Practices for Seed
Knowles opened the session by addressing recent issues with decreased stand establishment, saying that growers sometimes blame poor stand establishment on a bum seed lot. “That could be true, but we find more often than not, that isn’t true,” Knowles
Rick Knowles, a professor of horticulture at Washington State University, continues to field questions following his presentation on the effects of early planting.
explained. “It’s more likely how the seed was handled by both the seed grower and especially by the commercial grower, the cutting operation and the planting operation.” Too often, seed is planted within 24 hours of being cut, which can be a recipe for disaster, Knowles said. Planting too soon after cutting increases the risk of microbial decay and reduced stand establishment, especially when planted early in the spring in cold, wet soil. Doing so inhibits the initial wound response and subsequent development of a suberized closing layer. Explaining the physiology of wound response, Knowles said that wound healing produces superoxide radicals that are powerful antimicrobial agents, as well as hydrogen peroxide with its disinfectant properties. Interfering with the process increases the susceptibility of seed to decay.
Kam Quarles, National Potato Council CEO, brings the latest updates from Washington D.C. to growers at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference.
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Potato Country
March / April 2020
