b'suchpathogensasFusarium and andweatherconditionsaremore Protect For Early SpudsRhizoctonia stemcankerfrometer- conductive to seed-piece treatment Secor adds that use of a seed-pieceing the seed-piece. usethanothers.Obviously,the treatmentnotonlyprovidesrealcold and wet soil conditions during economic benefits in term of yieldA Life Support Role early planting are important consid- and grade, but also adds importantThe seed-piece, Secor says,is the erations. Seed-pieces may sit in soil marketingadvantages.Delayedsolesourceofnutrientsandwater 30 daysbefore emergence, especial- emergence of red potatoes can causefor the emerging potato plant until ly when the soil is colder than 50 o F growerstomissdividendsfromarootcansupportthedaughter at planting. But hot, very dry soils early season markets. Many of ourplant. also are conductive to disease, he producers like to get off to and earlysays. start. But if a grower doesnt protectUntil this happens, life is extreme- his crop at the start, its unlikely hisly stressful for the emerging plant, While it may appear visually that crop will mature early enough to getSecor says. And, in most cases, this early and late germinating plants all the early season dividends.growthprocessalsotakesplacein catchup,thebelowgroundstorystressful growing conditions. This is maynotmirrorsimilarresults. For us seed producers, quality is anprobablythemoststressfulsix Disease protection needs to be there, ongoingprocessthatstartsathar-weeks for a developing potato plant, regardlessofsoilconditions,until vestandcontinuesuntiltheplantandifyoudontprotectatthis the root can take over life sustaining emergesfromtheseed-piece.point,resultingpathogenscan dutiesfromtheseed-peices.Thats Careful handling and managementdirectly affect yield and grade. why seed-piece protection is impor- goes from harvest thru storage, andtant. continuesaspotatoesarepreparedInMaine,Johnsonsayssomesoil for planting, Bogestad says.Maximize Your Farms EFFICIENCY!In the heart of potato country. Serving all of Agriculture.Visit us onFACEBOOKServicing Shop: (715) 335-6652Cell: (715) 498-6651 ALL Makes E-mail: [email protected] 8364 Monica Road, PO Box 228Bancroft, WI 54921 of Equipment www.sandcountyequipment.comAPRIL 2019 POTATO GROWER 21'