Electrocution plus spraying once beats 4 chemical potato treatments
Karelia is a robust potato variety. So much so that it becomes difficult to kill off at the end of the season. Arable farmer Hans Biemond from the Dutch village of Dirksland applied a sequence of Quickdown, another round of Quickdown, Spotlight, and finally Affinity. 4 treatments with unsatisfactory results. His cooperation advisor Emiel Noordermeer advised Biemond to first electrocute the crop and then apply a full-field spray with Spotlight. A successful method.
The electrocution took place in September, followed 3 days later by spraying. The results after 9 days:
the Karelia foliage nearly completely died off. When pulling on the foliage, only occasionally did a tuber come up with it. After 1 more week of waiting, the potatoes developed sufficient skin set and were harvested in just under 3 weeks.
Nucrop method
The method used was the Nucrop method—a chemical-free approach to desiccation. From a tank mounted at the front of the tractor, a conductive liquid (VOLT.FUEL) is sprayed over the potato foliage. Following this, an electric current (Volt.apply) kills the treated foliage. Desiccation begins almost immediately, a crucial factor for harvest management.
Nucrop is crop-safe and sustainable. On the downside, however, the method costs €235 per hectare, making it more expensive than a 2-stage chemical desiccation. While there is no direct financial benefit through improved scoring in the eco-scheme, the reduction in chemical usage could play a role in marketing the potatoes. For Hans Biemond, though, the primary reason was clear: ensuring Karelia could be harvested predictably and on time. Additionally, it saved 3 spraying sessions at the right time and reduced the cost of chemical agents.
Maxing out the machinery
The electrocution rig moved at a speed of roughly 4 kilometers per hour. With a working width of 9 meters, it required significant power. The Massey Ferguson S 6718 (nominally 172 HP) has been boosted to around 230 HP. “You could say it is maxed out,” explains driver Stefan Jongejan from contracting company Dick Klok. “The key is to manage it with a 4-cylinder tractor on row-crop wheels, avoiding a heavier 6-cylinder tractor with wider tires. We do not want to damage the ridges.” Diesel consumption ranges from 30 liters per hour under normal conditions to 45 liters in more extreme scenarios.
At the outset, farmer Biemond anticipated that some tubers may become exposed and turn green, a downside he was willing to accept. This issue is significantly influenced by soil moisture; with average moisture levels, the impact is minimal. An initial look behind the machine reveals some exposed tubers, many already green, indicating they had been exposed for some time.
