Potato Review

NEMATICIDES 16 POTATO REVIEW MARCH/APRIL 2023 www. tongengineering .com e: sales@tongengineering.com t: +44 (0)1790 752771 > Gentle Handling > Advanced Design > Intelligent Control TURNKEY PROCESSING SOLUTIONS OPTICAL SORTING IN-FIELD & ON-FARM UNRIVALLEDCLEANING&GRADING ADVANCED BOX HANDLING WASHING & POLISHING THE COMPLETE SOLUTION FROMFARM TOPACK NOWAVAILABLEWITH INTEGRATED OPTICAL SORTING W ITH 2023 potato planting just around the corner, growers and operators are being reminded that granular nematicides must be used responsibly to help retain them for the future. Simon Alexander, potato agronomist and working group member of the Nematicide Stewardship Programme (NSP), says 65% of land used for growing potatoes is infested with the most signi cant potato pest in the UK – potato cyst nematode (PCN). “ is pest has an estimated damage cost of £50m,” said Simon. “Granular nematicides therefore remain an essential tool in any integrated management strategy to reduce yield losses, however they must be used safely to help protect operators, the environment and consumers.” He shares his top tips on how to apply nematicides in line with the group’s Best Practice Protocol. Ensure operator qualification All operators, including contractors and sta , need to be quali ed to apply granular nematicides, he emphasised. “ ey need to hold the PA4 or PA4G certi cates and must also be a member of the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO),” Simon said. “Operators can take the free, 30-minute, online training course provided by ARTIS on Best Practice Protocol, which awards four BASIS points and one NRoSo point on completion. “Under the Red Tractor Assurance scheme, all certi ed potato growers must make sure all operators applying the granular nematicide Nemathorin on-farm complete this online training to be compliant.” Calibrate machines Simon stresses the importance of calibrating and performing checks on granular nematicide applicators at the start of the season, and before each use. e Nematicide Stewardship Programme gives some timely tips on the application of granular nematicides with an emphasis on responsible and safe use. ‘Safety first’ says NSP Granular nematicides remain an essential tool in any integrated management strategy to reduce yield losses.