How to improve potato skin finish

In 2023 we had some fantastic results from potato growers using Maxstim products.

Clear improvements in skin finish have been observed across all crop varieties tested following applications of Agriculture+ sprayed in furrow or injected at planting, and during their growth and development.

All the growers we worked with have been amazed at the difference they’ve seen and recognise how the improved “bloom” of the potato skins maximises their marketing options for their crop. Even the chipping varieties improved despite having different skin type requirements for processing and packing.

Consumer demand is dictating that potatoes with cleaner and more attractive skins, free from surface infections, such as silver scurf and black dot, are more popular, and therefore of greater value to the grower (and buyer). A report in the US Journal of Potato Research stated that the most important fresh potato characteristic influencing purchase decisions is skin finish.(1)

The difference has been most evident where growers inject Maxstim Agriculture+ below the planting furrow with a liquid starter fertiliser or spray the Maxstim Agriculture+ directly into the furrow, possibly with a fungicide. Our trials showed that when our complex biostimulant is injected in two bands either side of the tubers at planting or when sprayed in the furrow at planting, the result is an improved “bloom” on the potato skin. There was a visible reduction in both black dot and silver scurf as well as common scab and black scurf. The combined reduction of these skin diseases on the potato crops produces crops with a brighter finish and fewer skin blemishes.