Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW NOVEMBER 2021 45 STORAGE P OTATO stores have gained a new sprout control product, which is expected to be available this autumn after just receiving registration approval. Registration of ARGOS (MAPP number 19799) was granted by CRD in early October for post-harvest use on potatoes inGB and NI. e product, fromUPL, contains orange oil as the active ingredient whichworks in a similar way tomint oil. Applied as a temperature- controlled fog in store, it e ectively burns back emerging sprouts and gives control for several weeks between applications. It can be used in boxed or bulk situations, in all varieties for chipping, crisping and fresh markets, and is exible for use up to 9 times in a programme with other sprout suppressants such as following eld appliedmaleic hydrazide. MarketingManager, Roy Robinson, said: “ e regulatory processes in both Great Britain and Ireland are robust - it takes a lot of time and nancial investment to bring a novel product like ARGOS to themarket. UPL is therefore excited to now o er the food chain this e ective, sustainable, no residue product to help ll the gap left by recent outgoing chemistry. “ARGOS also has the advantage of being more sustainable than harsher chemistries, so its kinder to the environment and better for the consumer too.” UPL claim the product is quickly establishing itself in stores across Northern Europe because it o ers several clear advantages over other oils, with no taint, no e ect on fry colour and The future is orange! Registration granted for new post-harvest storage product that is already nding popularity on the continent. no long-lasting smell in store. It’s easier to handle than ethylene or mint oils, and o ers no residues, noMRLs and no PHI holding period. ARGOS can also be applied up to nine times, which is useful for longer storage terms. Orange Oil is already fast becoming the preferred treatment in areas such as the Netherlands and Germany, where the product gained registration earlier this year, and following full scale trials at several leading research organisations. Commercial use in BENELUX and France has been very successful, with amarket share of nearly 50%,evenwhere 1,4-DMN is established in themarket. Trial results Trials and eld tests atWageningenUniversity &Research in e Netherlands in co-operation with a number of potato food chain partners over two years on a wide number of varieties showed excellent control of sprouting, comparable to the previous standard CIPC. Arable farmer Leon Jansen inWoensdrecht, Netherlands, grows chipping potatoes, supplying to LambWestonMeijer. “We grow theMarkies and Fontane varieties for the higher segment. e potatoes are pre-treatedwith ROYAL MH to calm themdown for longer storage. In storage, the potatoes have been treated seven times with 100ml ARGOS per tonne and the results are good. e germs have burned away and the potatoes are vital. e drug passed through the cell withmechanical cooling well.” Paul Versluijs is a grower and President of Nedato, a co-operation of around 500 potato growers in the southwest of the Netherlands. He said: “Basically, our potatoes were treatedwith FAZOR and then stored with ARGOS. e potatoes are good. ey are rock hard, the peel quality is good and the seeds have not yet sprouted.” Because of its specialist application by temperature-controlled fogging, ARGOS will be available fromNAAC PHTGmembers directly. Applicators are specially trained and experienced, further assuring that the product will be applied andwork properly and safely. Nick Green, Chairman of the NAAC group, which coversmuch of the stored potato crop in the UK said: “We are looking forward to the product being launched and available for use this season to aid sprout suppression in store - since the loss of CIPC fromvarious suppliers, we haven’t hadmuch choice and all of the current options have their strengths…andweaknesses! “Althoughwe’ve not had the opportunity to use the product at full commercial scale until it arrives in the UK, we’ve beenworking closely with UPL and applicators across Europe to share the best practice, including building some of their machines. It seems any teething problems have been sorted there before they happen over here. We’ve also learned a lot using the other essential oils, so we’re ready to go as soon as the product arrives.” Roy Robinson, Marketing Manager, UPL. Paul Versluijs, grower and President of Nedato.