The effects of conventional tillage operations vs innovative alternatives on soil health and crop yields in potato production

Potato farmers across the UK are churning up their soil with heavy machinery, and no one has fully measured the long-term cost to soil health. This project compares conventional tillage—deep ploughing and ridging used in potato production—against alternative, less disruptive methods such as reduced tillage or direct planting. The knowledge gap is clear: while potatoes are a staple crop worth hundreds of millions to UK agriculture, the soil damage from standard cultivation is poorly quantified. The research will track changes in soil structure, organic matter, microbial activity, and water retention, alongside actual crop yields. If the alternatives prove viable, farmers could adopt practices that keep soil intact and productive for decades, rather than degrading it year on year. That would affect something most people never think about: the long-term capacity of farmland to grow food without requiring ever more fertiliser, irrigation, or energy. The work could also inform supply chain decisions for processors and retailers who increasingly demand sustainable sourcing. This is applied agricultural science with a direct practical aim—no fundamental breakthroughs needed, just clear, field-level evidence for a better way to grow potatoes.