Water

See the latest Seasonal Water Management guide for 2018

The latest Seasonal Water Management Guide for Potatoes summarises the latest research findings and recommendations for efficient seasonal water management for potatoes, based on AHDB-funded research projects and work conducted at Strategic Potato Farms by Dr Mark Stalham of NIAB CUF.

This publication aims to:
- Improve marketable yield
- Maximise quality and reduce defects
- Increase water use efficiency
- Reduce nutrient (particularly nitrogen), soil and water loss

Seasonal Water Management Guide for Potatoes 2018​

Useful Resources

• AHDB Field drainage guide: Principles, installation and maintenance

• Water Resources summary and outlook August 2017​

• Summary of Defra’s Water Abstraction Plan 2017

• Irrigation and water use best practice guide for potatoes

• Countryside Productivy Scheme - New water resource management capital grants available

Water Abstraction

• England and Wales information on licences, borehole abastractions etc

• Scotland information on licences, borehole abstractions etc

Reservoirs

• View information on the regulations and responsibilities of reservoir owners for England & Wales

• View information on the regulations and responsibilities of reservoir owners for Scotland

• Information about building a reservoir can be obtained by reading 'Thinking about a reservoir?' booklet published by UKIA and Cranfield University

Environmental Permitting for discharges to surface water and ground water

• If you are going to make a discharge to surface water or to groundwater (including via an infiltration system) you may need to apply for an environmental permit

Ground water

• View designated groundwater source protection zones covering wells, boreholes and streams used for drinking water

• Revised version of "Groundwater Protection: Principles and Practice" can be viewed here

AHDB Potatoes Water Research Projects

• Completed: R448 Common Scab Control
• Completed: R445 Late Season Water Management
• Completed: R436 PhD Studentship: Mechanical and biochemical properties of tubers in relation to bruise susceptibility
• Completed: R406 Water use Efficiency through Soil and Plant Water Balance 
• Completed: R404 Climate Change Impacts on UK Potato Production
• Completed: R263 Management of Tuber Water Status to Reduce Bruising
• Completed: R257 Improving Crop Uniformity
• Completed: Building the Evidence Base: Potatoes a Low Impact Food Crop?