Flavonoid-based biostimulants and marketable yields: What potato farmers need to know

Scientific research

Perfect potatoes

Maximising profit through marketable yield

When it comes to potato production, what truly matters is not just how much you grow, but what you can sell. Marketable yield, defined as the portion of the crop that meets commercial quality standards for size, appearance and uniformity, is the clearest driver of profitability in commercial potato systems.

Recent research published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems provides compelling evidence that Maxstim’s flavonoid-based biostimulant Agriculture+ can increase not only total yield but more importantly, marketable yield, delivering significant financial returns to growers.

Science-backed results from lab to field

Key study findings:

  • 33% increase in tuber weight across three potato varieties in container trials
  • 10.4% increase in tuber number per plant
  • Significant shift toward larger tubers in the marketable size range (45–85 mm)
  • 5.2% average increase in total yield across six commercial UK field trials
  • Marketable yield improvements consistent across all trial sites
  • £700 average increase in profit per hectare

“The increase in marketable yield exceeded the increase in total yield, highlighting improved tuber quality—not just quantity.”

Salvage et al., 2024

What makes Agriculture+ effective?

Agriculture+ is a complex biostimulant derived from a blend of flavonoids, amino acids, seaweed extract, organic acids and trace elements. Its mode of action includes:

  • Enhancing photosynthetic capacity
  • Improving leaf chlorophyll content and assimilation area
  • Modulating plant hormone balances
  • Supporting tuber bulking and quality formation

These benefits translate into more uniform, larger, and higher-grade tubers—maximising the percentage of harvest that is actually saleable.

Application across varieties and conditions

The product was tested on multiple potato varieties (Maris Piper, Navan and Lady Rosetta) in both controlled container experiments and field environments.
It showed:

  • Consistent improvements regardless of seed type (chitted vs unchitted)
  • Positive effects under standard commercial farming practices
  • No adverse impact on tuber quality characteristics (e.g., dry matter, specific gravity, starch content)

Market impact: Why marketable yield matters

In modern potato markets, small differences in tuber grade can lead to large differences in revenue. By shifting more of the crop into class I saleable grades, Agriculture+ enables growers to:

  • Command better prices
  • Reduce waste and grading losses
  • Improve post-harvest consistency and storability

A smart investment for sustainable profitability

For growers aiming to make every hectare count, investing in a scientifically validated biostimulant like Agriculture+ offers clear returns. By targeting the quality of the yield, not just the volume, flavonoid-based inputs unlock a new level of profitability in potato production.

Read the research here

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