High dose rate for Invader in potatoes

The potato blight fungicide Invader can now be applied at a higher dose rate, making its control of late blight even better and more robust and bringing in welcomed additional activity on Alternaria.

The new higher dose rate of Invader in potatoes is 2.4 kg/ha, from the previous dose rate of 2 kg/ha. This new label recommendation allows the application of 180 gms/hectare of locally systemic dimethomorph and 1600 gms/ha of the protectant mancozeb, 17% more than before.

Phil Brown of BASF explains that this new increased dose rate of Invader has been approved as part of the re-registration process, which is now completed and has been discussed with the processors and packers. "The higher rate will mean even better control of all strains of late blight in potatoes. Certainly field trials have demonstrated this very clearly and Invader is quite capable of providing just as good blight control as any other mainstream product. Trials in Scotland last year showed Invader performing the best, in fact."

Phil also points out that applying the higher dose delivers a full field dose of mancozeb, sufficient to have some effect on early blight, Alternaria as well as enhancing the protection against late blight and adding in an anti-resistance position. "Few, if any, coformulation products apply enough mancozeb to provide activity against Alternaria ; normally they are in the range of 1200 gms/ha, but Invader can now deliver 1600 gms/ha."

"Invader fits well into the blight programme from early leaf extension to start of leaf senescence and can be used on all varieties of potatoes including seed crops. The two active ingredients complement each other in the way they work, with dimethomorph being locally systemic and protectant as well as offering some important curative activity and the mancozeb being a strong protectant. Invader can be applied up to 6 times in a programme at 7 to 14 day intervals, with a maximum total dose of 14.4 kgs/ha. The two components of Invader are from different groups and act in different ways, adding in an important anti-resistance platform. No resistance to dimethomorph or mancozeb in potatoes has ever been detected since the launch of either active ingredient. Invader has a Harvest Interval of 7 days," reminds Phil Brown.