New developments in potato seed treatment and the technology for its application could provide growers with better control of skin diseases and reduce incidences of common scab, new findings have shown.
Speaking at British Potato 2009, Mark Bullen of Syngenta highlighted that trials have shown that the company’s new potato seed treatment, fludioxonil, can provide more effective single-treatment control of a broad spectrum of seed-borne skin diseases.
The seed treatment has been submitted to the Chemicals Regulation Directorate for approval.
Trials have shown that fludioxonil has been shown to have beneficial effects in reducing the incidence of seed-borne diseases including rhizoctionia back surf, black dot, silver scurf and common scab.
To ensure the best results, Syngenta has set down a new standard for any treatment application, which will ensure more even coverage of tubers and minimal risk of environmental loss during treatment.
Bullen said: “Trials have clearly identified the poor standard of some current seed treatment applicators. In some instances, there can be 100 per cent variation in the amount of treatment applied on individual tubers and less than 50 per cent total product retention on the seed tubers. That inevitably means some tubers are not getting the protection they need and potentially high levels of waste.”
A new potato seed treatment roller table applicator from team Sprayers, developed with Syngenta, has been designed to meet the required standards for improved treatment and reduced waste.
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