PCN control advice
21 July 2000
PCN control advice
REDUCING potato volunteers is the first step to controlling potato cyst nematodes, and that starts with the current potato crop, says Les Sykes, technical manager with Norfolk-based Sands Agricultural Services.
Food source
"The best way of improving control of PCN is to stop volunteer potato problems before they start and deprive the pest of its food source," he says.
Applying Fazor (maleic hydrazide) at least four weeks before haulm destruction helps do that. Varieties that throw a large number of small tubers should be treated as a priority.
"Fazor has the added benefit of controlling sprouting for the initial part of the storage period," he adds.
Rate of application is 5kg/ha at an on farm cost of £18.50/kg, says Dow AgroSciences. "Any application rate below that is at the users own risk," says product manager John Sellars. *