Increasing potato yield with Multi K Mg prill

The Multi KMg treatment outperformed the existing side dressing practice in all areas measured

Crop/cultivar	Potatoes/ Coliban (Fresh Market)
Country / location	Australia/Berrigan, southern New South Wales
Objectives	Compare existing side dressing practice with Multi KMg prills to increase tuber yield and skin quality. The focus is also on timing of applications
Haifa product tested	Multi KMg (12-0-42+2MgO)
Application method	Side dressing
Tested treatment	3x250 kg/ha by side-dressing
Control treatment results	Total Yield: 44.19 MT/ha Number 1 Grade Tubers: 24.63 MT/ha Skin Quality: Some Spotting
Best treatment results	Total Yield 59.63 MT/ha Number 1 Grade Tubers: 39.41 MT/ha Skin Quality: Clean and White
Characteristics of best treatment	Yield increase: 15.44 MT/ha (35%) Number 1 Grade increase 14.78 MT/ha(60%) Grower’s revenue from yield: (No. 1 grade) 306 $US/MT Cost of treatment (application + material) 400 $US/ha
Net benefit of best treatment	3990 $US/ha
Benefit/Cost ratio	11
Conclusions	The Multi KMg treatment out performed the existing side dressing practice in all areas measured. We are finding the timing of the applications are just as, if not more important in influencing results than rates/ha. In Australia the fresh market potatoes are currently priced significantly higher than processing – there are large benefits in improving yield and quality.
Reference	Matt Thomas, Multifert Agencies