The loss of Vydate is going to affect around 20% of the GB potato area according to Scottish Agronomy’s Eric Anderson.
Growers will need to assess alternatives swiftly and he advises weighing up product performance, the capital cost of application equipment and use period, together with the practicality of application.
“In elevated PCN situations, Nemathorin 10G applied overall will give the most consistent result and can be applied through the granular application equipment growers already have.”
But he says growers must note the restriction that Nemathorin (Syngenta) treated potato crops must be grown for a minimum of 17 weeks before being desiccated or lifted green top, whichever comes first.
“Those considering a switch to Velum Prime would be well advised to go for in-furrow application at planting to expedite application through existing equipment i.e. Team applicators.”
Mr Anderson finds this configuration preferable to either an application system mounted to the same tractor as the tilling machine, or a conventional boom sprayer applying in advance of the bed tiller.
Another option is NEMguard PCN, a granular biocontrol formulated from garlic extract marketed in the UK by Certis Europe.
The company’s Neil Beadle says: “Nemguard can help reduce nematode damage in potato crops and can be applied using the same rotors/cassettes currently in place for Vydate application. The operator simply recalibrates to deliver the correct dose.
“It also has no harvest interval, so fits short duration crops well.”
Picture caption: Team Applicator.