Remain Vigilant Against Blight

Potato growers need to remain vigilant about the threat of blight, according to Bayer’s Product Manager Neil Thompson, despite fewer reported outbreaks.

Neil says: “Although the number of outbreaks reported by the Potato Council’s ‘Fight against Blight’ fell in 2010, they occurred in the main potato growing areas and only 264 isolates were tested in all. Furthermore, the dominant genotype was A2_13, which has a shorter latent period, is more aggressive and has phenylamide resistance.”

Tests have shown that Infinito gives better blight control in curative situations than either cyazofamid or mandipropamid. The trial, which involved Infinito being tested against two other leading blight fungicides, used a four spray programme of Infinito at 1.6L/ha. Applications commenced in early August after late blight became established.

Infinito should always be applied to a dry leaf at 1.6 L/Ha. You should repeat the application after seven days. The maximum total dose is 6.4 L/Ha/crop.