Potato farmers carrying out test digs will be able to assess tuber size by simply taking a picture with their smartphone.

A new app is set to streamline the process by eliminating the need for laborious riddling and counting, through the automated analysis of an image of tubers obtained from the test dig.

Test digs are an essential management aid for potato farmers, helping them with pre-harvest management of crops.  

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“This type of analysis is a vital component to allow growers to manage burn down/haulm destruction strategies to ensure market requirements are achieved,” says Lewis McKerrow, Agrovista’s head of precision technology.

The PotatoSize app is the result of a joint project between James Hutton Institute, James Hutton Limited and Agrovista and can assess crops in just a few minutes. 

Potato data

Crop statistics generated by the app include crop weight in 5mm size bands (t/unit), current estimated crop weight per area (such as t/ha) and an easy-to-read bar graph of size bands.

“This level of detail provides growers with the information they need to achieve accurate, consistent across crops and sites,” he says.

“Growers can now forget about using cumbersome riddles and size grids and for larger organisations. The app will enable them to obtain consistent results from different staff across multiple locations, as well as the ability to export results back to a central point.”

PotatoSize is available for iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the app stores.

Once downloaded and registered, users will get five free image processes to try the app, thereafter it is priced at £1 per image process (discounts for volume credit purchases).

Existing users of Agrovista’s Axis system can download the app and use their existing login to use it.