Potato Review

24 POTATO REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 SEED TREATMENTS Seed treatment options – how do they stack up? With Monceren unavailable, seed treatments – whether liquid or powder – will be more expensive, but there is variation in diseases controlled and per tonne price. The table below summarises the key differences. Growers already using powder applicators are reminded to ensure kit is in good working order well ahead of planting to avoid problems in season. Richard Lapage of RWL Services and Danny Hubbard of Team Sprayers offer a checklist for the valuable winter service. • Check moving parts – Remove applicator cover, remove the drive belt and ensure drive sprockets are moving freely. Also check drive belt is in good condition and at the correct tension. • Ensure hoppers are empty – Foreign objects such as vermin or leaving product in applicators over winter to set solid will restrict movement of augers or flow of product. Clean out to ensure auger movement is loose. • Store in the dry – Control units such as the Digimon should be stored away in a dry place when not in use, which will minimise exposure to damp and any subsequent electrical faults. • Check battery connections – When getting the planter ready for the new season, ensure it is connected to the tractor battery correctly. Although there is in-built protection in the system, getting positive and negative the wrong way around can blow the circuit board. • Run a calibration – With the chosen product to ensure everything is in working order and for a Team system, make a note of any calibration or “Calfac” settings for each hopper. • Check reed switch operation – A sensor and saddle magnet on the planter’s cup or belt driveshaft allows the Team Digimon system to control application rate. Ensure both are in the correct place and examine the sensor cable for defects, as any damage can stop the applicator working. • Carry running spares – Give operators a planting spares kit including a sensor, saddle magnet and drive belt. Although all dealers should have spares in stock, this will minimise downtime during the planting period. Timing Product Active Diseases controlled Max. dose Cost (£/t) Silver scurf Black dot Rhizoctonia – stem canker/black scurf Liquid at grading Maxim 100FS fludioxonil Reduction Some reduction Useful control 0.25litres/t £25* RhiNo Flow flutolanil Control 0.2litres/t £20* Powder at planting Emesto Prime penflufen Control of black scurf and some reduction in stem and stolon canker 1kg/t £25 RhiNo DS flutolanil Control 2kg/t £19 *If using a contractor, add £10/t application cost Source: AHDB Potatoes for disease efficacy. Costings based on industry research Don’t forget to service existing power applicators this winter Checking grub screws TEAM applicator and RhiNo DS Remove belts and check moving parts