There is still one Andalusian river on yellow alert following three weeks of consecutive rainfall in March: the Guadalete River as it passes through Barca de la Florida in Cádiz. The province has been one of the Spanish territories with the highest accumulated rainfall in the first 20 days of March. As a result, water reserves have increased by over 56%; however, the constant rain, much needed after two years of drought, has also taken a severe toll on many crops that were growing this month, such as potatoes.
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"After the heavy rains we have experienced in the province of Cadiz, in some areas there are still large amounts of infiltrated water, especially on lands with poor drainage and more compacted soils," says the Virgen del Rocio Cooperative. "However, in other areas, the land has already gradually started absorbing the accumulated water."
"This is a good indication that the soil is recovering its infiltration capacity, which could help prevent waterlogging problems in the long term. It's important to continue monitoring the situation to assess the impact on crops and adopt the necessary measures to ensure a good harvest."
In general, rainfall can affect tuber growth, especially in cases of excessive rainfall, which can cause problems such as root rot or fungal diseases, they say. "Waterlogging, which can cause root asphyxia, will considerably reduce the yields of our potato fields, and this is happening despite the fact that potatoes are planted in sandy soils, such as those in the province of Cadiz, which are usually well drained."
"In the coming weeks, with more sun and rising temperatures, the potatoes could suffer further damage. The crops' final results will depend on the phenological state of the fields at the time of the heavy rains."
The development of the crops will be monitored in the coming weeks, as the situation on sandy soils can be a little complicated, but there are some technical aspects that can help keep it under control. "Sandy soils have good drainage, which can be beneficial to avoid waterlogging, but they also tend to retain less moisture and nutrients. To improve the situation, it is important to implement appropriate management practices to increase nutrient retention and provide the necessary inputs to help mitigate plant stress."
"Also, controlled irrigation can be key to ensure that plants receive the right amount of water and nutrients needed during the rest of the growing season so they can successfully deliver a good harvest," they say.
"If these factors are managed well, it may be possible for the situation of the crops on sandy soils to be kept under more effective control until the harvesting period, but the current situation of potato fields in our area is not at all favorable and great difficulties are expected to obtain a good harvest."
For more information:
Patatas de Sanlúcar
Cooperativa Agraria Virgen del Rocío
C/ Central, 28, 11549
La Algaida, Cádiz. Spain
https://patatasdesanlucar.com/