Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Due to the higher dollar value of potatoes produced in July versus October, some potato growers choose to grow early season potatoes (planting occurs shortly after snowmelt). However, growing early season potatoes comes with increased risk of frost damage that can lower yields and cause total crop losses compared to planting later in the season (mid-summer planting). In addition, because of this high frost risk, producers cannot obtain crop insurance and consequently have no economic safety net. Currently, when there is a potential frost risk, growers need to decide whether to leave their crop unprotected and risk damage in order to reap the benefits of an early harvest or hill their crop (cover up with soil). Protecting the crop by hilling can delay the harvest period by 2 to 3 weeks and decrease yields, resulting in lower income for the producer but ensuring a crop to harvest. Growers decide whether to risk frost damage or cover up their crop based on previous experience, with each producer having their own criteria. To help producers in this sector make an informed decision on when to risk potential frost damage and when to cover the crop, there is a need to quantify what frost temperatures cause potato seedling damage. Spurr Brothers Farms Ltd. (SBF) grows over 140 acres a year of early potatoes in Nova Scotia and requires assistance from the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) with making this decision. NSCC will conduct research to determine what frost temperatures and length of frost exposure detrimentally affect potato seedlings, leading to decreased yields at harvest. Anticipated project results will provide SBF with information about when frost will negatively affect potato yields. The results will allow them to make informed decisions on when it is necessary to protect their crop from frost and lose revenue at harvest time, and when they can leave the crop safely exposed to frost without risk of damage, resulting in higher revenue at harvest time. Furthermore, project results will be shared with Agriculture and Agri-Food research scientists, as well as regional and national potato growers, providing additional benefits to the wider potato growing industry through the application of this information across Canada