14 February 2022
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Variety characteristics compared in digital tool
MEIJER Potato, which develops and markets different varieties, is launching a digital robustness index with seven items, made up of different variety characteristics, to objectively compare the robustness of varieties:
The seven items are as follows:
1. Marketable yield.
This includes washability and scab tolerance. A variety with a high marketable yield per hectare uses scarce agricultural land efficiently.
2. Climate adaptation.
This is based on, among other things, the dry matter content and the yield in different climates. The more stable the variety scores under different climate conditions, the higher the score in the index.
3. Soil adaptation.
This considers a stable high yield and the right dry matter content on different soil types.
4. Crop protection efficiency concerns.
This includes thing like late blight and virus resistant varieties that require less crop protection products. These varieties are therefore especially useful for both organic and conventional producers.
5. Fertilizer efficiency.
This provides insight into how efficiently varieties use things like nitrogen and can therefore be grown with respect for nature.
6. Water efficiency concerns.
Examples are salt-tolerant varieties, but also varieties that deal with a scarce (fresh) water supply more efficiently.
7. Storability.
This refers to varieties with a long dormancy period and those with a good frying colour throughout the storage season, resulting in a higher value and higher net output.
The potato variety characteristics used are based on data that has been collected for years in Meijer Potato's breeding program. By varying the importance of the seven robustness items in the digital tool, the customer can select the most suitable variety in a more targeted manner together with Meijer Potato.
"The right variety choice is becoming increasingly important because cultivation is becoming more expensive, legislation stricter and the market more demanding," Meijer Potato said in a statement.
