The plots at Potatoes in Practice serve a wide range of purposes, from showcasing the latest potato varieties to industry representatives to demonstrating innovative products and technologies. The SAC Consulting/SRUC team, uses our dedicated plot not just for display, but as a hands-on training and diagnostic hub.
As potato consultants, the SAC (SRUC) Potatoes Team spends much of the season in the field or lab, diagnosing crop issues and supporting growers across Scotland and beyond.
SRUC is one of the partners in Potatoes in Practice. Over the years, our plot has become a go-to destination for practical demonstrations. In previous events, we’ve shown how node counting can be a simple yet effective method for estimating the nitrogen grouping of different varieties. We've also illustrated the visible symptoms caused by varying rates of glyphosate injury, helping growers and agronomists to understand better the impacts of off-target herbicide.
At this year’s event we’re focusing on commonly misdiagnosed seed and early crop issues, problems that can significantly affect crop establishment and yield if not correctly identified and managed.
What we're demonstrating in 2025
Our 2025 plot will feature a suite of seed and early growth issues that we frequently encounter in commercial crops. Each example will be accompanied by expert insights into its causes, symptoms, and potential management strategies. These include:
- Cut seed – highlighting the importance of wound healing and seed handling.
- Chilling injury – showing how low temperatures can affect sprouting and emergence.
- Storage temperature swings – demonstrating the impact of inconsistent storage conditions.
- Rhizoctonia-infected seed – with visible symptoms of stem canker and black scurf.
- Waterlogged seed – illustrating poor emergence and rot due to excess moisture.
- Mechanical damage – showing bruising and internal damage from handling.
- Glyphosate damage (3x rates) – a stark reminder of the risks of drift or misapplication.
- Standard Maxim® treatment vs. rewetted seed post-treatment – comparing efficacy and seed health.
- Poorly sprouted seed – exploring causes such as dormancy or storage issues.
- De-sprouted seed – showing the effects of aggressive handling or sprout removal.
- Deep planting vs. standard depth – comparing emergence and early growth.
Why it matters
Misdiagnosed seed issues can lead to poor establishment, uneven crops, and ultimately reduced yields. By bringing these problems into the spotlight, we aim to equip growers, agronomists, and industry professionals with the knowledge to spot and solve these issues early. Before they impact the bottom line.
We look forward to welcoming you to our plot at Potatoes in Practice 2025. Come along, ask questions, and get hands-on with the real-world challenges we face in potato production.
