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Dr John Keer, development agronomist at Richard Austin Agriculture Ltd. was first trained in analysis of soil for the presence of PCN by MAFF and has subsequently analysed in excess of 100,000 samples.

“The nature of the pest is that it will only ever spread and affect more fields,” he explains. “It’s impossible to eradicate PCN and once found, growers are then locked in to a PCN management programme to keep populations subdued and growing potatoes viable.”

Because PCN populations are sporadic, Dr Keer advises growers should sample using a grid system because it is possible to obtain a more even sample than by walking the more traditional ‘W’.

“It’s most cost-effective to take one sample per hectare block, each sample comprising 40 cores, bulked together,” he says. “Ideally use a GPS system because the intersections of the grid can be accurately mapped and results give a

clearer idea of the distribution of PCN in fields.”

Results from PCN samples are given as both cysts and viable eggs per gram of soil. While numbers of cysts indicate a historic presence of PCN, the number of viable eggs is the most important measurement and should be used to determine agronomic decisions, such as whether to treat with a nematicide, stresses Dr Keer.

Growers are already aware of the importance of watching their rotations, with many moving to six to eight year intervals between potato crops since the general population shift towards the longer-lived Globodera pallida.

Growers would be well-advised to go on and have samples speciated by the lab once viable eggs are found. “Some areas still have mixed populations and a few still have 100% G. rostochiensis,“ he explains.

This information is vital so growers know exactly what they are dealing with and can help growers decide which varieties to grow, especially as resistance to G. pallida has very successfully been bred into some varieties. This gives growers an important cultural opportunity to limit the effects of PCN, advises Dr Keer.

USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE. USE BIOCIDES SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE.

For further information with regard to the warning phrases and symbols for these products please refer to the product labels.

Certis Europe BV, 1, Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridgeshire, CB21 6AD.

Tel: 0845 3730305Email: infocertisuk@certiseurope.com

www.certiseurope.co.uk

©Copyright 2015 Certis. Potatosafe News is produced on behalf of Certis by

Pinstone Communications Ltd. www.pinstone.co.uk

POTATOSAFENEWSSPRING 2015

Ferric phosphate has been the only slug pellet applied for the past two seasons at Fred Grant (Co) on their 70-80 hectares of potatoes, predominantly Maris Piper, grown for processing and frying. Farming near Boston in Lincolnshire, farm manager Alistair Godwin explains how he had confidence to make the move to ferric phosphate on his Maris Piper, a variety notorious for its susceptibility to slug damage.

“We believed the ‘death knell’ was sounding for methiocarb several years ago and began to try other active ingredients to get some experience with them. We looked at metaldehyde as an alternative but fully expected more limiting buffer zones to be introduced as a consequence of the metaldehyde stewardship campaign. Ferric phosphate looked a better option for us.”

The switch to ferric phosphate from methiocarb has been without any issues, even in seasons where slug pressure has been high, comments Alistair.

“The fact that we can safely apply near to field margins is an added advantage, even with dykes in the equation.”

Molluscicide studies using caged arenas are often not regarded as providing credible information for agronomy decisions in the field. Dr Catherine Whaley, director of i2LResearch Ltd explains their purpose.

“Caged arena trials are not intended to be a replacement for field trials but are very useful to standardise environmental conditions and pest pressure, which is impossible to do in a field situation,” she says. “Caged arena work means we can look at products side by side and a meaningful comparison can be made between them.”

i2LResearch Ltd is also an independent contract research organisation, providing product development, product testing and consultancy services to the pest control industry worldwide, explains Dr Whaley. Caged arena trials have provided Certis with important information regarding the efficacy of ferric phosphate and slug behaviour on a variety of crops, including potatoes. Ferric phosphate does not always supply a visual kill and understanding that slugs stop feeding and hide away to die is an important discovery to underpin grower confidence in the product when used in the field.

“Caged arenas allow us to apply slug pellets at specific timings in the crop development - mimicking the timings applied in a field scenario and different treatment regimes,” explains Dr Whaley. “We can assess what the critical timings are in the potato crop and how the behaviour of different slug species impacts on control of slugs and level of damage to the crop.”

Slugs are most damaging at the early stages of tuber bulking. They enter through small holes in the skin, causing irregular-shaped holes on the tuber surface extending into large cavities in the tuber.

In a field situation slugs are found sporadically within the field - in effect this means that the potato crop can be under different slug pressure at any given point in the field. Using a caged arena, a known number of slugs are introduced into the trials and different levels of pest pressure can be studied to determine the efficacy of products.

Molluscicide trials in potatoes use a large arena with minimum dimensions of 1m2. “This allows us to standardise the soil medium across the trial and provide a deep profile for the potatoes to be planted in,” explains Dr Whaley

Another advantage of caged arenas is that the efficacy of a molluscicide product can be evaluated on different slug species, explains Dr Whaley. In potatoes the Keeled slug (Milax, Tandonia and Boettgerilla spp.) and Arion sp. can cause significant damage because they are more subterranean in habit, seldom being seen on the soil surface.

Ferric phosphate proves its worth in potatoes

Cages arena trials: a valuable addition to field slug trialsMaris Piper grower moves to ferric phosphate

Get the best out of PCN samplingPCN test results are only as good as the samples taken from the field. Taking representative samples to detect a pest that exists in ‘hotspots’ has always been a subject of much debate. So what is best practice?

As potato stores empty, it’s time to clean

Certis’ unique potato

portfolio

QuickdownDesiccant

QuickdownHerbicide

QuickdownDesiccant

QuickdownHerbicide

Brogue

Jet 5

In this issue

• Product News

• This month on Twitter

• BASIS & NRoSO points

• PCN Focus

Cleaning should form an integral part of good plant protection practice. As a general rule potato storage and handling equipment should be regularly cleaned to reduce the risk of disease.

It’s important to remove plant residues and soil, which may harbour pests and pathogens and make disinfectants less effective. Brushing or an industrial vacuum cleaner can be used to remove much of the dust and loose debris before washing down boxes and stores.

Disinfectant Jet 5 is ideal for fogging stores or can be applied to boxes using a pressure washer or knapsack sprayer. Containing peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, Jet 5 breaks down in to CO2 and water, so there are no worries about residues, yet it is powerful enough to tackle even notifiable micro-organisms, such as the bacteria causing ring and brown rot.

Brogue is a registered trademark of Mitsui AgriScience International SA/NV Brogue contains diquat I Fungazil is a registered trademark of Certis Europe BV. Fungazil contains imazalilGroStop is a registered trademark of Certis Europe BV. GroStop contains chlorpropham I Insyst is a registered trademark of Nippon Soda Co. Ltd. Insyst contains acetamiprid

Jet 5 is a registered trademark of Certis Europe BV. Jet 5 contains peroxyacetic acid I Panarex is a registered trademark of Chemtura Corporation. Panarex contains quizalofop-P-tefurylMetam is a registered trademark of Taminco. Metam contains metam-sodium I Mocap is a registered trademark of AMVAC Chemical Corporation. Mocap contains ethoprophos

Sencor is a registered trademark of Bayer. Sencor contains Metribuzin. I Smartblock is a registered trademark of AMVAC Chemical Corporation. Smartblock contains 3-decen-2-one Spotlight is a registered trademark of FMC Corporation. Spotlight contains carfentrazone-ethyl I Quickdown is a registered trademark of Nichino Europe Ltd. Quickdown contains pyraflufen-ethyl Rhino is a registered trademark of Certis Europe BV. Rhino contains flutolanil I Sluxx and Derrex are registered trademarks of W. Neudorff GmbH KG. Sluxx and Derrex contain ferric phosphate

Trigger is a registered trademark of Certis Europe BV. Trigger contains metaldehyde I Valbon is a registered trademark of Kumiai Chemical Co. Ltd. Valbon contains benthiavalicarb-isopropyl + mancozebZinZan is a registered trademark of Certis Europe BV. ZinZan contains 2- ethylhexloxycarbonyl

Ferric phosphate stops slugs feeding

Dr John Keer

The newly-formed Nematicide Stewardship Programme (NSP) is a joint initiative that brings agrochemical companies Certis, DuPont and Syngenta together for the first time. It includes cross-industry support, geared to ensure these vital products remain available for future use on potatoes.

Launching a user protocol, a series of operator workshops, a tractor cab sticker (warning users to ‘stop’ three metres before the end of the row) and an eye-catching logo - the group says it’s determined to work to promote the continued safe application of nematicides.

“We’re coming together to pro-actively work within the industry to demonstrate best practice,” says Certis’ technical officer, Alan Horgan, who is a member of the NSP working group. In common with many ‘actives’, the nematicide product group has come under the

scrutiny of European legislators who are increasingly reducing the options available to farmers to protect their crops.

“We must use every opportunity to ensure that products are used responsibly and in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations,” says Alan.

So in practice, what does this mean to growers? Alan explains, “By March 2017, all applicators must be fitted with a device in cab that allows the operator to shut off granule flow at least three metres from the end of each row. This is to ensure no granules are left on the surface as the machine is lifted and turned.”

The NSP has run a series of workshops early this year and plan to offer further dates this autumn, aimed to ensure all operators are fully up to date with the latest legislation and are supplied with the correct information to ensure nematicides are applied accurately and safely.

In addition to the three metre end of row cut-off, the newly approved protocol requires that growers must demonstrate they have sought advice from a BASIS qualified agronomist and that operators hold a NPTC PA4 or PA4G certification.

Certis support stewardship of nematicides PR

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Growers are reminded that all Mocap (ethoprophos) purchased this season is now the 15G and not the 10G formulation.

It’s important operators read the label and make certain which formulation they are using because the 10G formulation can still be legally used if already in stock on-farm (until 10 June 2015).

“The maximum rate of use of the 15G is now 40 kg/ha – this is a major difference from the old label which allowed a higher rate of both the product and the active ingredient to be applied. It’s vital that agronomists know what’s in stock before writing their recommendations and for operators to check the label and be aware of the NSP guidelines,” warns Alan Horgan.

The new maximum rate allows growers to apply the same quantity of active substance for wireworm control as before but this will now only give a useful reduction in PCN populations. Additionally harvest interval has been increased to 80 days.

Mocap label has changed

For further information please contact the Certis technical hotline on 0845 3730305 . Reading this issue qualifies readers to earn two BASIS crop protection points CP/40297/1516/g and two NRoSO points NO460004f

This monthon Twitter

ArableFarming @ArableFarming @CertisUK @DupontUKCPP @SyngentaUK join to launch Nematicide Stewardship Programme to spread clear message on application guidelines #NSP

AHDB Potato Council @PotatoCouncil How to improve energy in potato stores - @accunnington @FarmersWeekly http://bit.ly/17Rc0vC

Red Tractor @RedTractorFood Almost 676,000 tonnes of British potatoes are made into chips in Britain every year – that’s 322 times heavier than the London Eye #ChipWeek

Farming Online @farmingonline Challenges for potato industry identified by NFU forum http://ow.ly/cBJ1z #NFU

Tweet tweet!If you’re on Twitter follow @CertisUK

Different blight fungicides are applied as single product programmes in the trial, very different to standard commercial blight programmes. Dr Keer explains why.

“Although this is not something a grower would ever do in practice, single fungicide programmes are the only way to compare products head to head and their responses to the different blight genotypes we are now experiencing.”

“Genotypes go through their life cycle so fast that protectant-only products aren’t able to keep up, even when applied at seven day intervals,” says Dr Keer. “Valbon + ZinZan has performed well in the trial because of its curative activity.”

In addition to mancozeb, Valbon also contains benthiavalicarb-isopropyl - which has a ‘kick-back’ activity of 24 hours on blight pathogens, explains Certis’ technical officer Alan Horgan.

“Benthiavalicarb is active in actually controlling the disease, preventing sporulation and the subsequent germination of spores as well as

inhibiting the mycelial growth that invades plant tissue.”

To maximise the effect of kickback, timing is key. Valbon needs to be applied in the period between spores penetrating the leaf and producing sporangia to stop the infection, explains Alan. “An earlier application of Valbon + ZinZan at rosette stage looks to be the way forward.”

The addition of Certis’ wetter, ZinZan has repeatedly been shown to reinforce protection. ZinZan improves the absorption of Valbon, kickback activity and redistribution of the product within the leaf. These properties are useful in high blight pressure situations, when rain is imminent or if there is a delay in application timing.

Valbon + ZinZan performs wellDr John Keer has been involved with potato blight trials in East Anglia for the last 16 years. He says Certis’ blight fungicide, Valbon + ZinZan, was a top performer in the trials last year.

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“3-decen-2-one is an interesting compound and will have a good fit with current practice because it can be applied with existing fogging equipment,” he explains. “In our trials, it’s been very effective as a sprout suppressant and we have never needed more than one application in low temperature stores.”

Unlike CIPC, 3-decen-2-one is applied after dormancy break when 70% of eyes are open, explains Adrian. “Growers are used to applying a sprout suppressant before dormancy break. Once tubers have started to produce sprouts then our existing products are less effective and may have to be reapplied. This new molecule is unique in terms of timing of application and it appears

that the eyes opening may facilitate its uptake into the sprouts of the tuber.”

Most importantly growers will have a choice of materials for sprout suppression – especially valuable because of the pressures on CIPC, concludes Adrian.

Adjuvant looks promisingA new methylated rapeseed oil adjuvant, along with three other adjuvant components, performed well in Eurofins trials last season as a partner product for Quickdown (pyraflufen-ethyl), says Alan Horgan, Certis’ technical officer.

“The combination gave superior results to Spotlight (carfentrazone-ethyl) in trials,” says Alan. “It was eye-catching because where it was used with Quickdown, haulm desiccation was the fastest.”

Sutton Bridge’s view on innovative sprout suppressantAdrian Briddon, Potato Council’s technologist at Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research, has been looking at the sprout suppressant, 3-decen-2-one, for more than six years. Already registered in the USA and Canada as ‘Smartblock’, it is anticipated that Certis will bring the molecule to the market in Europe in the near future.

Time to actCertis is making an urgent appeal to potato growers and operators applying granular nematicides this Spring.“Best practice is absolutely critical,” says Certis’ marketing manager

Robert Lidstone.

“This includes the need to monitor treated land for bird and small mammal carcasses within 24 hours of application.”

He adds that any finds should be reported to the

Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS).

Please take part in the nematicide stewardship survey for growers, as enclosed within this issue of Potatosafe News.

For more information contact Certis technical hotline on 0845 3730305.

Adrian Briddon

Potato blight

NSP Workshop

STOP3 metres beforethe row end