Enhancing Performance in Potatoes: The Role of Nutrino Pro
How does Nutrino Pro support potatoes?
Potatoes are a demanding crop when it comes to nutrient uptake, especially nitrogen. Efficient nitrogen use is critical for yield and tuber quality, dry matter content, and environmental sustainability. Nutrino Pro, a foliar biostimulant from IntraCrop, has been developed to address this challenge, enhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and supporting physiological resilience through a targeted combination of nutrients and plant-active biostimulant compounds. This season has been very dry, with rainfall limiting growth at critical stages.
Growers are reporting significant concerns around yield potential and how they can mitigate against this. Potato sap analysis, a method used to assess the nutrient status of potato plants in real-time, has indicated low levels of nitrogen in unirrigated crops due to dry conditions. Results on irrigated crops have indicated higher levels of nitrogen, but it is still below the optimum amount required.
Transpiration rates (the process of water movement through the plant and evaporation from the canopy) have been significantly higher than usual. In current temperature and humidity conditions, losses in potatoes can be up to 150 mL per day. This can impact plant growth and will potentially reduce yield.
Nutrient demand in potatoes
Potatoes require high and consistent nitrogen availability across growth stages, particularly during canopy development and tuber initiation. However, traditional nitrogen fertilisers often result in:
- Inefficient uptake due to leaching or volatilisation
- Asynchronous nutrient availability
- Increased risk of over-fertilisation, reducing skin finish or dry matter
Nutrino Pro is designed to enhance the crop’s ability to absorb and utilise applied nutrients, enabling more efficient fertiliser use.
Mode of action: how Nutrino Pro works
Nutrino Pro is a slow-release nitrogen combined with Magnesium and Sulphur biostimulant compounds that directly support the plant’s nitrogen metabolism.
- Biostimulant effects improve root activity, increase chlorophyll content, and reduce the impact of transient abiotic stress (e.g. during drought or hot weather)
- Magnesium is a central component of the chlorophyll molecule. It plays a critical role in enzyme activation, especially those involved in energy transfer, carbohydrate metabolism, and protein synthesis.
- Sulphur is a key component of certain amino acids (cysteine and methionine) and therefore vital for protein synthesis. It contributes to the formation of chlorophyll. It helps improve nitrogen use efficiency as sulphur and nitrogen work synergistically to build proteins.
Impact on potato roots, shoots, and tubers
In field trials, applications of Nutrino Pro (typically at tuber initiation and or multiple applications during stable canopy) have resulted in:
- Up to 40% increase in root biomass, improving nutrient and water uptake
- Increased shoot growth (by approx. 10–15%), supporting canopy health and photosynthesis
- Improved tuber uniformity and size, particularly under stress conditions
Integrating Nutrino Pro
For maximum effect, Nutrino Pro should be integrated into your crop management programme in one of the following ways:
- Replacing inefficient soil applied topdressing and better supporting tuber bulking – ideal on Determinate varieties e.g. Innovator, Estima
| Application Rate | Timing | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| 20 l/ha | Tuber initiation | Replacement of inefficient top dressing to better support tuber bulking and marketable yield |
- Supporting and maintain green canopy – ideal on Indeterminate varieties e.g. Markies
| Application Rate | Timing | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| 5-10 l/ha | Mid-season Blight sprays | Maintain green canopy and support marketable yield |
Nutrino Pro is widely compatible with blight sprays and has a low scorch risk on potatoes.
It is particularly effective when used in combination with:
- Status®, to mitigate abiotic stress
- Talisman®, to promote nutrient mobilisation under challenging conditions
Conclusion
By improving the efficiency of nutrient uptake and strengthening physiological responses to stress, Nutrino Pro delivers measurable benefits to potato growers. With growing pressures on input costs and environmental impact, this biostimulant offers a practical and proven way to extract more from existing fertiliser regimes while improving crop performance.
- Enhances nitrogen use efficiency via multiple synergistic pathways
- Boosts root development and chlorophyll production
- Delivers consistent yield improvements, even under stress
For more information, you can speak with your agronomist, contact IntraCrop or visit the Nutrino Pro page.
