Branston warns growers of biofumigant claims
Branston, the UK's leading supplier of potatoes, used its annual Summer Field Walk to alert growers to unsubstantiated claims surrounding the use of some biofumigation products.
Speaking at the annual gathering of members of Branston's Lincolnshire Producer Group, Dr Andy Barker – the company's Research & Development Manager - said that with increasing constraints on the use and availability of chemical pesticides, there is considerable interest in biofumigation but urged growers not to believe everything they hear about this emerging technique.
"Biofumigation has massive potential, and products such as Branston Fumigro and GrowCure based on Plant Solutions 'hot' mustards, offer an excellent combination of green manure and disease control. However, there are many products being sold with unsubstantiated claims as to the range of pests and diseases controlled and we want our growers to be clear as what they are expecting from a particular biofumigant crop.
"I cannot stress enough the importance surrounding the level of glucosinolates in the crop and the total biomass required to generate sufficient biofumigant. Our two new products – Fumigro and GrowCure have been developed specifically for potato growers. It is vital that growers select the right biofumigant, incorporate it properly, with optimum soil conditions, to achieve the maximum effect. I'm afraid there are lots of crops being sold as effective biofumigants without any supporting evidence."
As well as the warning over Biofumigants, the 40 growers attending the Summer Field Walk were introduced to seven new potato varieties. Peter Hewett, Branston Seed Manager, presented freshly dug samples of Rubesse, Tebina, Bounty, Lanorma, Safari, Saphire, Bellini and two, currently, unnamed varieties. The growers were able to see the varieties growing at a larger scale than previously and many were so impressed that they have already placed their orders for seed.
Members of the Producer Group, also heard from Syngenta about chemical usage and how to identify lower grade generic imitations of higher quality products. Application specialist Ben Magri delivered a presentation on nozzle selection and its importance in improving spraying efficacy. Househam Sprayers also exhibited its new AR300 self-propelled sprayer, equipped with Syngenta Nozzles.
Event organizer, Branston Senior Field Manager Martin Stothard, said the event was a great success: "The Summer Field Walk is always an important date and something our growers really look forward to. It's an opportunity for them meet up with each other but also hear from us and other companies about the latest developments. This year, we decided to focus on biofumigants and I think everyone is keen to find out more about Fumigro and GrowCure."
Martin's comments were echoed by Jon Ogborn, Syngenta's Field Technical Manager (Specialist Crops): "The afternoon was an excellent chance to review exciting developments in new varieties, pest and disease control, and application technology. Events like these, and products such as Fumigro and GrowCure, play a valuable role in ensuring a viable future for UK potato production."
Branston Fumigro, which is available now, is designed to control soil-borne diseases that affect skin finish in pre-packed potatoes, whilst also offering effective weed control. The crop can be grown at any time, but optimum incorporation should be into warm, moist soils.
GrowCure offers a different seed mix to achieve potentially greater green manure benefits than Fumigro, but slightly less biofumigant performance.
