Interfarm UK is now supplying the seed potato fungicide treatments Rizolex in the UK and Ireland. Available as the 10%w/w Wettable Powder, Rizolex and as the 500g/l Suspension Concentrate Rizolex Flowable, these fungicides are used in seed potatoes for the control of black scurf and stem canker, caused by the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani.
John Martin, Managing Director of Interfarm, explains that this arrangement is a direct consequence of being an affiliate company of the global giant Sumitomo Chemical Company Ltd. "Tolclofos-methyl is a molecule developed by Sumitomo Chemical Company, who has a majority share in Interfarm UK. This means that we benefit from this affiliation through accessing not only existing but also new crop protection products in the pipeline. Growers of seed potatoes can access this effective seed treatment through any one of our distributors."
Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager for Interfarm explains that Rhizoctonia is a serious disease of potatoes, with the fungus damaging the yield and quality of seed potatoes. "Rhizoctonia is a seed borne and soil borne disease with the symptoms being seen on the surface of the tuber as black scurf. On seed potatoes it can attack sprouts and in some cases plants are prevented from emerging. Based on the active ingredient tolclofos-methyl, Rizolex controls black scurf on tubers, the most important source of infection, and protects them against stem canker and black scurf in the daughter tubers. It is applied before planting."
Dr. Stormonth explains that seed potatoes should be treated as they come out of store, pre-chitting or before shoots protrude and before planting. "It is important that the fungicide is distributed evenly over all tubers. For the WP formulation this is done on an automatic potato planter during hopper loading. The hopper should be half filled with seed and the quantity of Rizolex, 2.5 kgs per tonne of seed potatoes, spread over the tubers. The hopper is then filled with tubers and agitation in the planter will spread the fungicide uniformly."
The Rizolex Flowable formulation is applied at 0.25 litres per tonne of seed potatoes, by misting equipment which has either hydraulic nozzles or spinning discs mounted over the roller table. Once again the atomisers should be positioned to ensure good, even distribution over the whole tuber surface, says David.
For further comment and information, please contact Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm UK Ltd. on 01354 741414 or 07818 036506 (mobile) or via e-mail david.stormonth@interfarm.co.uk
