DOI: 10.23637/rbk1-potyld6896-01
title: Dataset: Broadbalk potato tuber yields 1968-1996

description: Annual potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i>) tuber yields for each treatment plot of the Broadbalk Experiment, with details of all fertilizer and manure applications. Also other agronomic information, including planting and harvest dates, and potato cultivars. Potato was grown on the rotational sections of Broadbalk between 1968 and 1996, as part of the potato&gt;beans&gt;wheat rotation of Sections 2, 4 and 7 (1968-78) and then as part of the potato&gt;wheat&gt;wheat&gt;wheat&gt;fallow rotation of Sections 2-5 and 7 (1979-96). Potatoes were not grown on Broadbalk after 1996.
description: The [Broadbalk Wheat Experiment](experiment/rbk1) was started in autumn 1843 to investigate the effects of fertilizers containing N, P, K, Na and Mg in various combinations, and organic manure, on the yield of winter wheat grown continuously. The treatment STRIPS extend the whole length of the field; each strip tests a different fertilizer or manure treatment. In 1926 the strips were divided into five SECTIONS (I-V), bare fallowed in sequence to control weeds. There were further divisions in 1955 making seven Sections (IA-VB). Each PLOT is a unique strip\section combination. In 1968 the experiment was divided into ten SECTIONS (0-9), to allow the comparison of wheat grown continuously with wheat in a three or five-year rotation. Wheat is grown in rotation with other arable crops (forage maize, beans, potatoes or oats) and fallow in Sections 2-5 and 7. Wheat only is grown in the other sections. Strip 1 was added in 1968, on Sections 2-7 only. 

Yields from wheat and non-wheat crops are published separately. See section_names.pdf for full details of layout and the cropping plans for details of the different crop rotations.
description: An Excel file, 01-potyld6896.xlsx, contains the Broadbalk potato tuber yield components and treatment details, for 1968-1996. Frictionless CSV files are provided for users who prefer CSV over Excel files. A README file contains extensive metadata information.
Section_names.pdf which shows the changes in the Broadbalk sections over time.
description: Potato tuber yields are shown at fresh weight. The percentage dry matter of the tubers at harvest is also given, this ranges from 20-30%. 
Potato received the same fertilizer applications as wheat, except that no autumn N was applied on strips 17-18, 1985-1996. 

Also included is the percentage of ware potatoes. These are tubers that do not pass through a 3.81cm riddle or grader. Ware potatoes are those grown for human consumption, which need to be a minimum size, generally over 4.0cm.
description: Tuber yields are from the BKPOTATO dataset in the e-RA database. Treatment details were taken from the Rothamsted Yield Books, published each year with details of each experiment. In accordance with the Joint Code of Practice for Research at Rothamsted, data processing in e-RA follow rigorous standard operating procedures to ensure the quality and correctness of data collected in the field through to depositing in the e-RA database. To ensure quality control during data inputting, the data sets were typed on two separate occasions (double data entry). During the second typing (verification) the data values were compared with those typed on the earlier occasion, and any discrepancies were resolved before verification continued. This procedure also set out how to handle situations where the written records were illegible or ambiguous. This procedure avoided visual checking of data, which can be very inaccurate. Once the data were entered into e-RA, they were independently back-checked against the original data sheets. We thank the many other [Rothamsted staff](info/credits) who have been involved in the production of this data, including farm staff, field recorders, laboratory staff and data recorders, too numerous to mention.