Salt potato network

"A tasty product for the Netherlands and an opportunity for the rest of the world" Recent experiments with potatoes in the Netherlands have proven that there are varieties that not only grow very well under saline conditions, but whose flavor is even enhanced. These experiments have led to a new tasty product which has become very popular in the Netherlands. Moreover, farming of saline potatoes can provide income for farmers cultivating brackish fields worldwide.

Open-air laboratory
Between 2012 and 2014 eight different varieties have been tested for salt tolerance at the test site of Salt Farm Texel. A quarter of an acre of potatoes have been planted on 48 test fields and irrigated with six different salt concentrations, from fresh to 20 dS/m (a salt concentration consisting of half Wadden Sea water, approx. 7000 mg of chloride per liter). Each salt concentration has been tested on eight replicate test areas. Due to regular irrigation and continuous measurement of the salt concentration in the soil, we have gained a highly accurate impression of the growth and quality of the potato at various salt concentrations.

Duration project: 2012 - 2015 (finished)

Coorporation: Salt Farm Texel together with 8 potato farmers of Zeeland, Groningen, Friesland en Texel.

Special thanks to:

Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland

Europees Landbouwfonds voor plattelandsontwikkeling: Europa investeert in zijn platteland