(Active substances: clothianidin and beta-cyfluthrinm)

Poncho Beta is our high performance seed treatment designed to control a range of sugar beet pests. It combines clothinanidin, a highly active systemic insecticide that also has some residual soil activity, and beta-cyfluthrinm which has contact and vapour activity. Together they ensure enhanced efficacy against soil-borne pests, foliar pests and virus yellows.

Why Poncho Beta?

Optimising plant establishment is a critical factor in maximising sugar beet yields.  Using Poncho Beta ensures that your emerging sugar beet plants are protected from important soil pests, regardless of soil conditions.  With two modes of action to prevent grazing by pests that slow growth, it also controls the early foliar pests of beet and avoids the severe yield loss that can occur when aphids transmit viruses to the developing crop.

Trials conducted at Broom’s Barn between 2004 and 2006, showed that Poncho Beta delivered an average of 2.5t/ha more than imidacloprid and 1t/ha more than thiamethoxam + tefluthrin. Using 2011 beet prices, this would mean an additional profit of £47 or £25 per hectare respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Adjusted yield calculated: Root yield x (actual sugar / 16)
Price of £23.60/T. Data are mean of 6 trials at Brooms Barn 2004 - 06

Main advantages

• High efficacy at low chemical rates
• Enhanced protection from soil-dwelling pests, giving you better establishment
• Longer lasting protection against aerial pests such as beet leaf miner and Pygmy mangold beetle
• Greater control of aphids and reduction of Beet yellow virus and Beet mild yellow virus
• Higher root yield and sugar returns
• No herbicide restrictions
• Simplifies crop management

Getting the best from Poncho Beta

A quality seedbed is the foundation of a high-yielding crop and it is worth taking time from other tasks in the autumn and early spring to ensure that the soil is prepared under the best possible conditions. The ideal seedbed allows the drill to operate smoothly and sow all seed at the correct depth with good seed-to-soil contact for optimum germination.

Early drilled crops have more yield potential because they develop their full leaf canopy earlier in the season.  They are, however, exposed to aphid migration for up to 14 weeks after planting and the long persistence of Poncho Beta activity is essential to get the best from these crops.