AGRIA
Seed preparation
Seeds are best kept in a mechanically cooled storage area at 3-4 degrees until 1-2 weeks before planting. Then, 1 to 2 weeks before planting, warm air is used to slightly pre-sprout the seeds so that their eyes are just open. It is inadvisable, however, to pre-sprout or disturb the seeds too much as this may result in uneven emergence. Only the top-sprouts may be removed.
Planting
TGood soil structure and a sufficiently high soil temperature are very important for uniform emergence. Planting depth is the same as for Bintje. The optimum number of seeds per hectare depends on their size, with the following guidelines given for ware potatoes:
Sizes 28/35 planting distance approx. 28 cm (approx. 1,300 kg/ha)
Sizes 35/50 planting distance approx. 33-35 cm (approx. 3,100 kg/ha)
Agria potatoes take slightly longer to emerge than the Bintje variety.
Crop protection and fertilisation
Weeds can be prevented by spraying with a soil herbicide before potatoes emerge; in this case the manufacturer’s instructions can be followed. For nitrogen fertilisation, it is advised to use 50 kg N less than the recommended dosage for Bintje. As for potassium fertilisation, a minimum K level of 22 should be aimed for. If the K level is lower it would be wise to carry out corrective fertilisation in the autumn. No potassium chloride should be applied in the spring in connection with the OWG (Underwater weight). The Agria’s foliage is slightly susceptible to Phytophtora infection and its tubers even less so. The Agria produces hardly any berries, and is highly resistant to Am Ro1 and Ro4 (A).
Harvest and storage
Firstly determine the OWG (Under Water Weight) before carrying out potato desiccation. The thin skin and high cell tension of the Agria makes it more susceptible to internal damage during harvest than Bintje. After the storing process, air dry the potatoes as soon as possible and store at a minimum temperature of 6 degrees C. Agria is not very prone to sprouting during storage, so sprout inhibitors (CIPC-IPC) can be used more sparingly than with Bintje; they should, however, be applied just as frequently. If skins have hardened well, both liquid and powder sprout inhibitors can be used.
