Exploring variability in yield, resource use efficiency and environmental impact of ware potato production in the Netherlands

Summary

In the Netherlands, potato is an important cash crops for arable farmers. Average yields are high, but simultaneously there are several challenges in its production. There is large yield variability among farms and fields and the production of ware potato has an impact on the environment. This thesis explores variability in yield, resource use efficiency and environmental impact of ware potato production in the Netherlands. It is concluded that on sandy soils lower yields are mostly caused by drought stress and diseases. On clay soils, variability in yields are attributed to oxygen stress as a result of water logging. Yield variability was not explained by differences in input use (e.g., nitrogen and crop protection products). This result suggest that it is possible to maintain high yields while reducing the environmental impact of ware potato production in the Netherlands.