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35SUMMER 2015 SPUDSMART.COM In his view the best result of the work so far is that all participating growers have faith in a positive outcome and truly believe there are better ways to feed their crops. Island growers are not hesitant to continue to try to identify and evaluate ways to adopt and practice new cropping methods that deliver beneficial results Watts says. DIFFERENT STRATEGIES Watts implemented a number of different strategies at the 4R nutrient stewardship demonstration sites including the following Splitting nitrogen N applications into two or three separate applications including a reduced level of N in the planter mix as compared to areas treated with GSP fertilizer. A number of sites also featured reductions in total N application by 10 to 20 per cent under the grower standard practice GSP. Reducing application of phosphorus pentoxide P205. The reason for this was that most soils in the potato growing areas of P.E.I. already have high levels of P205 and likely do not need as much phosphorus applied as the amounts currently favoured by many Island growers. Split applying potash K2O with a pre-plant broadcastincorporated application of muriate of potash MOP and a banded application at planting with a combination of KMag fertilizer and sulfate of potash. The GSP K2O program traditionally used by Island growers involves almost exclusive use of MOP which increases the salt concentration around the tuber zone and may reduce tuber specific gravity when banded at planting. Because magnesium boron and zinc can be quite low in many Island fields these micronutrients were added to fertilization programs where soil tests indicated potential benefits to crops. All growers were asked to avoid application of any foliar fertilizer products on the 4R sections of the field unless advised to do otherwise by Genesis Crop Systems. The official report on the 2014 trial results concludes that 4R nutrient stewardship practices trended towards equal or better performance than conventional crop fertility practices. The report further states that 4R nutrient stewardship management on the participating potato farms resulted in lower soil nitrate levels which reduces the potential for nitrate movement to the environment at eight out of 10 locations. The field trials that Watts has evaluated to date have also helped increase grower awareness of the 4R approach. Island potato grower and P.E.I. Potato Board Chairman Alex Docherty says the board is a strong supporter of the 4R program. The board views the 4R program as a perfect fit for P.E.I. potato farmers who are committed to economic and environmental sustainability. There is no doubt that an improved marketable yield with less impact on the environment is a win-win situation for everyone farmers and the public alike he says. Reflecting on the trial results during the past two seasons Docherty says its clear the 4R approach can have a big impact on marketable yield while at the same time reducing the level of nutrients that could be lost to ground and surface water. Minimizing the impact of farming on the environment is a priority in Prince Edward Island as concerns remain about nutrient losses to ground and surface water. We are indeed very encouraged by the Minimizing the impact of farming on the environment is a priority in Prince Edward Island as concerns remain about nutrient losses to ground and surface water. ALEX DOCHERTY results of the 4R program that have been shared so far he says. We are also very happy that CFI has extended the trial program for an additional three years here on the Island. We believe that the benefits for Island growers will be huge. GOOD FIT WITH PRECISION AG One of the trials with the 4R nutrient stewardship program was conducted on a field belonging to Island Holdings. Farm manager Jared Wright says that the 4R principles and its practice are a perfect fit for modern technologies that enable growers to move successfully towards the application of precision farming techniques. We can definitely see the benefits of the 4R approach in terms of nutrient application in our operation he says. For example we might have a field where in the past nutrients were blanket-applied. When we follow the 4R approach we may ultimately use the exact same amount of fertilizer as in the past but apply it in a more targeted way where some areas of the field receive less some more and some none. This ensures that we treat the field and consequently the crop in a much more site-specific and precise manner. We can see the positive results of this approach when harvest time rolls around no question about that he says. According to Watts the 4R nutrient stewardship programs evaluated to date should be considered as works in progress. The main objective he says is to continue to identify and demonstrate new and modern methods of fertilizing the potato crop that will meet the goals of the producer but also the environment and society in general. Potatoes being planted under the 4R nutrient stewardship model at Birch Farms Ltd. one of the P.E.I. producers involved in demonstration trials of the 4R method.