Potato Foliar Nutrition Trial Shows $8,000/ha ROI with Switch Ag
Information
This replicated trial assessed four Switch Ag foliar nutrition programs against the farmer’s conventional fertiliser practice in a spring-grown Sebago potato crop at Agnes Banks, NSW.
The farmer’s practice consisted of banded and side-dressed NPK fertiliser at planting. Foliar treatments maintained base NPK inputs while integrating pre-plant biological products, Carbon+ granules, and targeted foliar nutrition.
At harvest, replicated plots were assessed for total yield, tuber size distribution, average tuber weight, and specific gravity to determine both productivity and quality outcomes.
All Switch Ag foliar treatments increased yield relative to the farmer’s practice. Tuber size distribution shifted toward larger, more marketable grades, and specific gravity testing showed higher dry matter levels across all foliar programs.
Treatment 4 delivered the strongest result, generating an additional $8,353/ha compared with the farmer’s practice, demonstrating the value of combining biological inputs, Carbon+ granules, and foliar nutrition to improve both crop performance and profitability.
Benefits
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Increased yield and higher gross returns
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Higher specific gravity and improved potato quality
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Reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers
Switch Ag Foliar Treatments in Potato Production
This fully replicated field trial was conducted at Agnes Banks, NSW, during spring 2025 to evaluate the effectiveness of Switch Ag foliar nutrition programs in fresh market Sebago potatoes. The trial compared integrated biological foliar treatments against the farmer’s conventional synthetic fertiliser practice.
The trial assessed whether incorporating foliar-applied biological inputs, including beneficial microbes, humates, fulvic acids, amino acids, secondary nutrients, and trace minerals, could improve yield, tuber size distribution, quality, and return on investment under commercial growing conditions.
Results showed strong agronomic and financial benefits across all foliar treatments, with one program delivering more than $8,000 per hectare in additional return compared with the farmer’s standard practice.