Potato cultivation is one of the most technical areas in the Industrial Vegetables sector. Its yield potential depends on a delicate balance between root establishment, nutrition, abiotic stress management, tuberization, and post-harvest storage.
Alternating drought and excess water, heat waves, oxidative stress, industrial size requirements, tuber storage... Today's producers must secure every stage of the cycle.
Developed from the expertise of Biodevas Laboratoires, STIMIX is a potato biostimulant designed to support the plant's key physiological mechanisms, improve yield consistency, and enhance tuber quality, from the field to storage.
Over 15 years of testing for measurable performance
Since 2011, more than 60 official trials in industrial crops, including 45 in potatoes, have been conducted under real conditions by experimental stations, technical organizations, and partner producers in France and abroad.
Conducted on more than twenty varieties and in a variety of soil and climate conditions, the STIMIX program has scientifically validated its action on key physiological functions: root establishment, tuberization, growth, and metabolic stability.
The results observed are both agronomic and economic:
- +8% to +23% return depending on the segment,
- Significant improvement in size consistency,
- Reduction of internal defects,
- Better preservation during storage.
These results translate into increased value for marketable volumes and, depending on the situation, gains that can exceed €1,500/ha.
Why use a biostimulant on potatoes?
Potatoes are particularly sensitive to abiotic stress: water stress, excess water, heat stress, intense radiation, and metabolic imbalances.
These constraints have a direct impact on:
- Tuberization,
- The regularity of sizes,
- Internal quality (vascular rings, oxidation),
- Post-harvest storage.
Faced with these challenges, the goal is not only to increase yields, but also to secure the genetic potential of varieties while maintaining consistent production.
How does STIMIX affect plant physiology?
STIMIX combines three complementary components that work synergistically:
- An exclusive phytogenic core
Formulated from a complex of plant extracts (chamomile, clove, meadowsweet, etc.), this core ingredient acts to regulate oxidative stress.
It activates antioxidant metabolic pathways, enabling:
-
- A better balance between vegetative growth and tuber formation,
- Maintaining photosynthesis under challenging conditions,
- Improved metabolic stability.
- Natural silicon
Silicon strengthens cell structure and wall rigidity, improving mechanical resistance, tolerance to water and heat stress, and management of leaf transpiration.
- Boron
An essential trace element, boron plays a key role in cell division, root establishment, flowering, and regular tuber formation.
Its addition promotes uniform tuber formation and better size consistency.
From field to storage: securing crop potential
In potatoes, each stage of the cycle directly influences the next. Insufficient root establishment hinders nutrient absorption. Disrupted tuberization compromises size uniformity. Poorly managed stress during the growth phase impacts internal quality and storage capacity.
The appeal of the STIMIX program lies precisely in this comprehensive approach.
From the earliest stages, improved root dynamics enable the crop's potential to be realized more quickly. A dense, homogeneous root system promotes regular absorption of water and nutrients, which is essential for limiting the effects of water and heat stress.
During tuberization, a phase that is particularly sensitive to climatic conditions, the plant's metabolic stability becomes crucial. By supporting photosynthetic activity and the translocation of assimilates to storage organs, STIMIX helps to ensure the number of tubers and their uniformity.
During enlargement, the tuber becomes the main sink for sugars. The management of assimilate and water transport directly determines the final size and internal quality. Trials show a significant improvement in size uniformity, a reduction in physiological defects (vascular rings, oxidation, deformities), and improved clarity and washability at harvest.
Thus, STIMIX is not positioned as a one-off intervention, but as a structuring agronomic lever aimed at maintaining production consistency and optimizing the volume that can actually be marketed.
Reducing sprouting during storage: a strategic challenge
Since chlorpropham (CIPC) was banned, controlling sprouting during storage has relied on more technical strategies, particularly the useof maleic hydrazide.
The effectiveness of this molecule depends heavily on the physiological condition of the foliage at the time of application. A plant in metabolic imbalance or that has undergone significant stress will show less uniform penetration and distribution.
Adding 2 L/ha of STIMIX when applying maleic hydrazide is a relevant technical option for reducing potato sprouting during storage. Thanks to its action on oxidative stress management and metabolic stability, STIMIX promotes better diffusion of the molecule and helps to significantly delay sprouting.
Work carried out with the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Chamber of Agriculture shows an improvement in preservation, both in producer storage and cold storage, with no negative effect on the density or appearance of the tubers.
Would you like to incorporate STIMIX into your cultivation program?
Our technical teams support producers and industrial partners in implementing programs tailored to varieties, yield targets, and storage strategies.
Contact us to discuss your situation and obtain personalized technical references.
FAQ – STIMIX and potato cultivation
Which biostimulant should be used on potatoes to improve yield?
A potato biostimulant must act on key stages of the cycle: root establishment, tuberization, and enlargement. STIMIX supports the plant's metabolic stability, improves nutrient absorption, and helps optimize tuber number and uniformity. Official trials show yield gains of up to +8 to +23% depending on the segment.
How can potato tuberization be improved?
Tuberization is highly sensitive to water and heat stress. Maintaining active photosynthesis and good translocation of assimilates is essential. STIMIX acts on the regulation of oxidative stress and promotes a physiological balance that ensures the number of tubers and their uniformity.
How can potato sprouting be reduced during storage?
Since the ban on CIPC, germination management has relied mainly on maleic hydrazide. The effectiveness of this molecule depends on the physiological condition of the foliage. The combination of STIMIX + maleic hydrazide improves the penetration and distribution of the product and helps to significantly delay germination during storage.
Does STIMIX improve tuber quality?
Yes. Trials show improved size consistency, fewer internal defects (vascular rings, oxidation, deformities), and better clarity and washability at harvest. This translates into a higher marketable yield.
What economic return can be expected with STIMIX?
According to trials conducted under real-world conditions, economic gains can exceed €1,500/ha thanks to increased yields, more consistent sizes, and improved storage life.
At what stages should STIMIX be applied to potatoes?
The STIMIX program involves three applications at 2 L/ha at key stages of the cycle (establishment, tuberization, growth). An additional application can be made in combination with maleic hydrazide at the end of the cycle to optimize preservation.
