EFFICIENCY IN USE OF RESOURCES: OPTIMIZATION IN POTATO PRODUCTION

Objective

The purpose of this Concerted Action is to provide a link between national programmes, pooling data, and harmonizing practices. With the large amount of effort that is being devoted to the problem of nitrogen nutrition in the potato crop, the outstanding requirement is the development 0 a forum or network that will enable researchers throughout Europe, and in co-operating countries, to collaborate, to exchange ideas, to develop common protocols. A principal focus of the Action will b collectively to develop methodologies to be used, as appropriate, by producers, laboratories and policy makers and, ultimately, to develop a definition of how decisions should be made by growers and managers to optimize the nitrogen nutrition of their crops. The objectives are to:- Develop means for farmers to grow potato crops in which the supply and demand for N are in balance, so as to limit losses of N to the environment, and yet to maintain yield levels. Provide a rational assessment of the value of animal.manures; thereby to optimize a resource, minimize a pollution problem, and minimize on the energy and other costs of mineral N. And, as a necessary corollary to develop means for farmers to optimize demands on water resources by using only sufficient water to capitalise on available N while avoiding both stress and leaching, or by alternative procedures including methods of controlled drainage. These each lead to subsidiary but contributory objectives detailed in Section 2 'Work Content'.
And, finally, as a necessity to give value to the outcome of the Action it will address dissemination of its work in four ways: (i) Publish a handbook of methods to assist practitioners in the field in the methods and procedures to use, written and produced with the practitioner in mind. (ii) Outline the requirements for a computerized decision support system. (iii) Prepare plans for a Demonstration Project. (iv) Convene a special meeting between participants, representatives of the Commission, and National representatives of the water and/or agricultural industries to seek ways to promulgate the findings.
The proposals to be outlined are consistent with the objectives of Sub-Area 4.1 of the AIR II Workprogramme (p8, first objective; p53-4, Research Task 4.11) and specifically, they aim to determine and then 'promote crop production techniques whici permit a reduction of inputs (and) better protection oemenvironm toldevelop water management models for Preserving crops when precipitation is irregular.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › hydrology
• medical and health sciences › health sciences › nutrition
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › environmental sciences › pollution
• agricultural sciences › agriculture, forestry, and fisheries › agriculture
• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › natural resources management › water management

Programme(s)

• FP4-FAIR - Specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of agriculture and fisheries (including agro-industry, food technologies, forestry, aquaculture and rural development), 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 4.1.1 - Optimisation of methods, systems and primary production chains

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CON - Coordination of research actions

Coordinator

Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI)

Address

Invergowrie
DD2 5DA Dundee
United Kingdom

Participants (20)

Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS)

United Kingdom

Address

Willington Road Kirton
PE20 1EJ Boston

CENTRE DE RECHERCHES AGRONOMIQUES DE GEMBLOUX

Belgium

Address

Chemin De Liroux, 11
5030 Gembloux

DANISH INSTITUTE OF PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCE

Denmark

Address

Research Centre Foulum - P.o. Box 21
8830 Tjele

DLO-RESEARCH INSTITUT FOR AGROBIOLOGY AND SOIL FERTILITY

Netherlands

Address

Bornsesteeg, 65 - P.o. Box 14
6708 PD Wageningen

FEDERAL CENTRE FOR CEREAL, POTATO ADN LIPID RESEARCH

Germany

Address

Schützenberg, 12 - P.o. Box 1354
32756 Detmold

HELSINKI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Finland

Address

Tietotie, 1
02150 Espoo

INSTITUTE OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT CULTIVATION

Poland

Address

Czartoryskich, 8
24-100 Pulawy

Istituto di Genetica e Sperimentazione Agraria N Strampelli

Italy

Address

Marconi 1
36045 Lonigo Vicenza

KEMIRA AGRO OY LTD.

Finland

Address

Luoteisrinne, 2 - P.o. Box 44
02271 Espoo

Nutrient Management Institute NMI

Netherlands

Address

Agro Business Park 20
6708 PW Wageningen

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR AGROBIOLOGY AND SOIL FERTILITY

Netherlands

Address

Oosterweg, 92 - P.o. Box 129
9750 AC Haren

Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI)

United Kingdom

Address

Invergowrie
DD2 5DA Dundee

TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY MUNICH - WEIHENSTEPHAN

Germany

Address

Weihestephan
85350 Freising

UNIVERSIDAD DE ALMERIA

Spain

Address

Campus Universitario De La Canade De San Urbano
04120 Almeria

UNIVERSIDAD DE GRANADA

Spain

Address

Fuentenueva S/n
18071 Granada

UNIVERSIDADE DE TRAS-OS-MONTES E ALTO DOURO

Portugal

Address

Apartado 202
5001 Vila Real

UNIVERSITEIT GENT

Belgium

Address

Coupure Links 653
9000 Gent

Università degli Studi di Padova

Italy

Address

Agripolis Via Romea
35020 Legnaro Padova

Università degli Studi di Udine

Italy

Address

Via Delle Scienze 208
33100 Udine

WAGENINGEN AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

Netherlands

Address

Haarweg, 333 - P.o. Box 341
6700 AH Wageningen