The potato crop is highly sensible to runoff by its cultural characteristics (ridging, planting in slope direction, late soil coverage,...). Runoff and resulting erosion induce soil loss, water accumulation downslope (with a high risk of pathogens development), surface water pollution because of pesticides loss,… From this observation, a new process named « tied ridges » has been tested. Little dam are made every 1,6 meters between potato ridges to favor water infitration instead runoff. This new process come from environment concerns which are essential to establish Sustainable Agriculture especially for sensible crops from this point of view.
Objectives
In continuity of SWAP-CPP 2005-2007 project (FUSAGx), the first objective of this project is the study of potato tied ridges efficiency. The second one is analysis of technico-economic feasibility of this new method to farming scale. Finally, the last objective of this project is to promote this technology to farmers to reduce runoff problems in potato crop.
Results obtained
During 2009 season, tests were performed in Baisy-Thy, Nodebais and Saint-Aubin (in the Walloon Region). The results concerning tied ridges efficiency confirm those of previous project: very small losses of runoff water, sediment and pesticide with tied ridges. Analysis done on potato tubers at harvest showed little differences in yield and quality between tied ridges and not tied ridges.
Contribution
CRA-W coordinates this project involving several partners. It ensures and coordinates the implementation and monitoring of tests plateforms for the seasons 2009 and 2010. Tied ridges and not tied ridges are compared for the amount of runoff water, loss in pesticides, potatoes yield and quality,… CRA-W also conducts follow-up observations of the maintenance of the micro dams against bad weather and it contributes to the evaluation of technical and economical feasibility of “tied ridges” process which are also major concerns of the project.
Partners
CRA-W Asbl Epuvaleau Fiwap asbl ULG-Gbx ABT, Unit of Analytical Chemistry
