The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: Fluffywelshsheep on April 17, 2009, 05:21:32 pm

Title: 'Eco-friendly' potatoes created
Post by: Fluffywelshsheep on April 17, 2009, 05:21:32 pm
Quote
Scientists in Dundee claim to have developed an "environmentally sound" potato which needs less water and fertiliser than other varieties.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7890537.stm
Title: Re: 'Eco-friendly' potatoes created
Post by: Rosemary on April 18, 2009, 08:58:08 am
Wonder what it tastes like.
Title: Re: 'Eco-friendly' potatoes created
Post by: Fluffywelshsheep on April 18, 2009, 04:50:51 pm
i guess it one to look out for
Linz
Title: Re: 'Eco-friendly' potatoes created
Post by: doganjo on April 18, 2009, 11:47:27 pm
Why is it more environmentally friendly by using less water - we have plenty of it and it's free ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 'Eco-friendly' potatoes created
Post by: sellickbhoy on April 20, 2009, 03:32:54 pm
Doganjo

I'm with you - the water falls pretty freely where i am, so don't see the need really!!

I suppose those poor urchins down south have a problem, 2 days without rain and it's drought warnings and hose pipe bans all round. then a week later it's floods, cornish villages disappearing and trains not running (though they look for any excuse for that one!)

I am interested in the blight resistant strains though, i lost half my crop last year due to blight (partly my own fault for planting so late and for it being such a "humid" summer) this year i've planted roosters which are supposedily resistant to blight.



Title: Re: 'Eco-friendly' potatoes created
Post by: Rosemary on April 20, 2009, 08:36:41 pm
I think there's a number of varieties of the Sapo family - Sapo Miro is one, I think - that are blight resistant. But I'm relying on memory, which isn't always too great.
Title: Re: 'Eco-friendly' potatoes created
Post by: doganjo on April 20, 2009, 11:14:08 pm
I've planted the 'cupboard' variety - in black bin bags.  Sprouts are through - earthing up tomorrow afternoon all being well - that is provided we don't have this torrential rain they're talking about.  Not going out in that!