1. EFFECT OF SELECT YIELD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ON POTATO YIELDS “NB Potato Industry Transformation Initiative”

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE THE BACKGROUND THE OBJECTIVE THE TEAM THE PROJECTS OVERVIEW AND RESULTS SUMMARY KEY LEARNINGS

3. THE BACKGROUND

4. THE OBJECTIVE Improve profitability and competitiveness through mitigation of limitations to potato yield Increase total yield by 45 cwts/acre in 5 years

5. THE TEAM Potatoes New Brunswick McCain Foods (Canada) Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Ventus Geospatial Eastern Canada Soil & Water Conservation Center NB Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries McCain Fertilizer Grower Cooperators

6. THE PROJECTS Mapping Yield Variation In-Furrow Decompaction Nurse Crop Compost Deep Tillage

7. THE PROJECTS Fall Cover Crop Fumigation Yield Monitor

8. MAPPING YIELD VARIATION Mapping done using remote sensing imagery collected by drone Total of 15 fields included in project in 2013 Total of 17 fields included in 2014 Imagery collected at several times Bare soil (variation in soil properties) Early season (early canopy development) Late season (canopy senescence)

9. MAPPING YIELD VARIATION Drone used to collect imagery

10. MAPPING YIELD VARIATION Sampling locations selected in each field Based on early season imagery Chosen to have “good”, “intermediate” or “poor” growth Total and marketable tuber yield was determined at each location

11. SELECTING SAMPLING LOCATIONS Typical Field Layout- Sampling points selected based on Brightness Index (BI)

12. GENERAL INFORMATION Projects established in the fall 2013 or spring 2014 All data collected at preselected sites reflecting potential yield variability based on aerial imagery  Measurements of the developing crop  Soil moisture/temperature  Petiole sampling  Soil compaction  Soil Sampling  Yield (2 x 10-ft. strips @ 6 paired locations)

13. YIELD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS 2014

14. In-Furrow Decompaction Reduce compaction, increase water infiltration, reduce runoff and accumulation of water in low spots After Planting – 1 site, approx. 0.75 acre Two weeks after planting Depth of 8 inches

15. In-Furrow Decompaction

17. Effect of In-Furrow Decompaction on R. Burbank Yield at One Site, NBPITI, 2014

18. Nurse Crop Improve water holding capacity, reduce surface runoff and minimize water accumulation in low lying areas Seeded immediately before planting 1 site (0.5 acre) Winter rye @ approx. 100 #/acre

19. Nurse Crop

21. Effect of Nurse Crop on Shepody Yield at One Site, NBPITI, 2014

22. Compost Project Increase organic matter, improve water retention, enhance soil health 3 sites: 2 in Florenceville area, 1 in Grand Falls area Applied before planting @ 25 tons/acre

23. Compost Project

24. Effect of Compost on R. Burbank Yield at Three Sites, NBPITI, 2014

25. Deep Tillage Reduce compaction, improve drainage, increase rooting depth and nutrient absorption Fall 2013 2 sites @ 14 in. 3 sites @ 14 and 20 in. Spring 2014 3 sites @ 14 in.

26. Fall Deep Tillage

27. Effect of “Fall Deep Till” at 14 in. on R. Burbank Yield at Two Sites, NBPITI, 2014

28. Effect of “Fall Deep Till” at 14 and 20 in. on R. Burbank Yield at Three Sites, NBPITI, 2014

29. Effect of “Spring Deep Till” at 14 in. on Yield at Three Sites, NBPITI, 2014

30. RESULTS SUMMARY

31. Effect of Soil Remediation Projects on Total Yield, Average Gain/Loss vs. Control, All Sites, NBPITI, 2014

37. Key Learnings In-Furrow Decompaction Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone

38. Key Learnings In-Furrow Decompaction Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone Nurse Crop Reduced surface runoff, improved water infiltration and increased soil moisture level in the hill

39. Key Learnings In-Furrow Decompaction Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone Nurse Crop Reduced surface runoff, improved water infiltration and increased soil moisture level in the hill Compost Important site and zone response to treatment Higher yielding fields/zones responded best to compost application

40. Key Learnings In-Furrow Decompaction Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone Nurse Crop Reduced surface runoff, improved water infiltration and increased soil moisture level in the hill Compost Important site and zone response to treatment Higher yielding fields/zones responded best to compost application Deep Tillage Best yield response observed in heavier soil types Difference observed between fall and spring likely related to soil moisture level more than season Probably not necessary to go as deep as 20 inches

42. Healthy soils are critical for global food production, but we are not paying enough attention to this important “silent partner”

43. THE MESSAGE …?