Gran Bretaña: Perfect storm for potato blight

With crop values creeping up, the need to protect is becoming ever more important to growers.

However, this season’s blight threat has triggered the need for tighter spray intervals – indeed five days between applications is common – which is leading to increasing demand and potentially some product shortages in the range of fungicides available to fight potato blight.

“It’s imperative not to get caught short,” explains Morley Benson, key account manager at Certis.

“Valbon is a very robust fungicide, and we’re confident that our supply levels of this product are sufficient enough to support growers through this high disease period.”

When deciding how to tackle blight, farmers will not only need to consider variables such as product combinations and level of resistance, but also application parameters such as timing and spray frequency, explains Mr Benson.

“The co-formulation of two key actives, benthiavalicarb and mancozeb, found in Valbon, effect different stages of the blight lifecycle, and minimise the risk of resistance developing. Mancozeb also proves useful when protecting against early blight, Alternaria.

“Although it does contain some curative properties, Valbon works most effectively as a protectant, and should be applied before any signs of blight are detected.”