Efficient nitrogen (N) management is one of the most critical – and most delicate – factors in potato production. Excess nitrogen drives uncontrolled vegetative growth, raises costs, delays maturity, and may affect tuber quality. Shortage, on the other hand, limits yield potential.
The real challenge is not only how much nitrogen to apply – but when to adjust it during the season.
Croptune™ helps growers to move from fixed fertilization programs to dynamic, measurement-based nitrogen management. By translating real-time crop nitrogen status into clear recommendations, Croptune™ supports better canopy control, improved nutrient use efficiency, lower input costs, and higher yields.
Across different potato-growing regions, Croptune™ has proven how data-driven decisions translate into measurable results.
Controlling Excessive Vegetative Growth
Ruhama, Israel | Winter 2025
Under favorable winter conditions in Ruhama, rapid canopy development caused potato plants to grow aggressively – reaching the height of the sprinkler system. Traditionally, this would require labor-intensive manual pruning.
Croptune™ measurements showed that nitrogen availability was already sufficient. Instead of continuing routine applications, the grower reduced nitrogen input. Vegetative growth slowed naturally, crop health remained stable, and manual pruning was avoided entirely.
Croptune™ helped the growers to regulate growth without risking yield.
"In the past, we would have continued fertilizing according to schedule and then dealt with the consequences”, said the grower. “Croptune™ helped us make adjustments to keep the canopy under control”. It changed how we make decisions in-season."
This case demonstrates how nitrogen regulation can spare costly mechanical intervention – improving efficiency while maintaining optimal growth balance.
Reducing Nitrogen Inputs Without Compromising Yield
Nir Itzhak, Israel | Winter 2025
In Nir Itzhak, Croptune™ was used for continuous in-field monitoring throughout the season. The measurements revealed periodic spikes in nitrogen availability – information that would not have been visible under a pre-planned fertilization program.
Based on these insights, nitrogen applications were reduced during periods of elevated N levels.
The result:
- 15% reduction in total nitrogen applied
- Stable crop development
- Maintained yield potential
This represents direct economic benefit: lower fertilizer costs without sacrificing performance – while also improving environmental stewardship.
Sustained Yield Improvement Over Time
Limpopo, South Africa | 2023–2024
Croptune’s value extends beyond single-season savings. In Limpopo, a grower increased yields from a ten-year average of 55 t/ha to:
- 63 t/ha in 2023
- 70 t/ha in 2024
By consistently refining nitrogen decisions based on crop measurements, performance improved year after year.
"Before Croptune™, nitrogen decisions were mostly based on experience and routine. Now we measure, adjust, and fine-tune. The improvement was not only in yield but in confidence” the grower shared.
This illustrates the cumulative power of continuous monitoring and data-based optimization.
From Field Variability to Targeted Fertilization
Ofakim, Israel | Winter 2025
In Ofakim, Croptune™ was integrated with weekly drone mapping, combining nitrogen percentage (N%), NDVI data, and spatial field analysis.
Instead of uniform nitrogen application, fertilization was adjusted according to actual field variability and temporal crop needs. The outcome was improved nitrogen allocation, better crop uniformity, and enhanced nutrient efficiency.
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The Croptune™ Advantage in Potato Production
Across environments and production systems, Croptune™ delivers consistent benefits:
- Proactive control of vegetative growth
- Reduced nitrogen inputs without yield risk
- Improved nutrient use efficiency (NUE)
- Higher and more consistent yields
- Labor savings through preventive decision-making
- Clear, actionable recommendations based on real crop data
By replacing assumptions with measurements and static programs with dynamic decisions, Croptune™ enables potato growers to fertilize with greater precision, stronger agronomic control, and improved profitability – season after season.
ISO Certified for leaf analysis!
Cropune™ is the first AI lab in the world that complies with the strict ISO 17025 standards for nitrogen analysis in plant leaves.
