Spud Watch: Focus on weed control after good planting

Potato planting has continued at a rapid pace, with some growers finishing in record time.

Generally, conditions have been excellent, although I have seen some very ordinary seed-beds where land has been worked and allowed to dry out, and as a consequence is hard and cloddy.

At least compaction shouldn’t be an issue, although secretly I’m sure we would all like some rain to dampen the dust and to allow applications of pre-emergence herbicides to work.

It is worth remembering that pendimethalin and prosulfocarb work best when applied pre-emergence to moist seed-beds.

Where possible, metribuzin will form the backbone of my herbicide recommendations along with aclonifen, assuming it is available.

See also: Why cultural control is key to keeping potato blight at bay

If moisture does arrive a week or two before emergence, I might be inclined to apply my pre-em and leave an application of diquat/pyraflufen-ethyl (Gozai)/carfentrazone (Shark) to apply at soil rising, to deal with any emerged weeds.

Fleeced crops in Cheshire have emerged very quickly, benefiting from the extra warmth provided, and are growing away well.

Irrigation has been applied through the fleece to minimise common scab and to push the crop on, aiming for a mid-May harvest.

I would imagine that further south, the lack of spring rainfall could be worrying, particularly for those who irrigate from streams and rivers.

It will be interesting to see what Mother Nature has in stall for us this coming season.