11 October 2021
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Keep seed tuber disease control rolling to season’s end
Experts agree that there is room for improvement on liquid seed treatment use and store hygiene practices to weather a perfect storm of storage diseases like dry rot, gangrene, skin spot and silver scurf.
Previously in Potato Review (September/October, p19-21), it was highlighted that risk assessments to establish the need for liquid fungicide tuber treatments within the seed industry could be much better.
Also noted was the fact that protectant treatments such as Gavel (imazalil) should be applied as early as possible in the storage period to get the best activity on key diseases and avoid significant losses.
The earliest opportunity to apply a seed treatment presents itself at harvest or on a roller table when split grading into store, but independent potato consultant Paul Overton says not all seed producers are set up to execute either.
However, this should not dissuade growers from using a seed tuber treatment at the next window of opportunity, which opens during first grading.
To read more and pick up advice and feedback, see the November issue of Potato Review. You can subscribe here.
