11/24/05 A different way to grow spuds

Bryan Hopkins had some potatoes in fields near Blackfoot but his Russet Burbank crop was grown in beds, not rows. The University of Idaho potato researcher says he found advantages in the beds, closure being one of the most important. HOPKINS "I'm closing rows two to three weeks faster on beds than I do with rows so that's one huge advantage. And then plus because I'm closing that row more quickly I'm capturing more sunlight. That soil that's in the bottom of the furrow it's really not being used that efficiently. The more we can spread the roots out and give more of a place for spud to grow and roots to grow we're just using our resources more efficiently." Today's equipment is set up for rows. That's one challenge for potato beds; a lack of hilling is another. HOPKINS "In many years we can show a yield advantage to hilling. We can spray some herbicide on a little later than with the bed and then we can knock some of the weeds down with the tillage at hilling." Hopkins says weed control, for now is a major problem. Then there's the issue of water, in this case drip irrigation. Tomorrow how a skeptical Hopkins changed his mind. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott