Interfarm UK Ltd is now supplying the desiccant Mission for use on potatoes, oilseed rape, beans, peas and a number of other crops.
"Containing 200 g/l diquat and formulated as a water soluble concentrate, Misson is an effective and fast-acting desiccant for use on potatoes, as well as oilseed rape, combining peas, red and white clover for seed, field beans, barley and oats for animal feed and linseed. In particular potato growers will welcome its addition to our product range, as blight pressure is so high and they will want a desiccant that delivers rapid and thorough haulm destruction which Mission does within two weeks of application," advises Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm (UK).
"Recommended in ware and seed potatoes, Mission should be applied at a dose rate of 4 litres/ha when tubers are the desired size. If tubers are to be stored, the crop should be left for 14 days after treatment before lifting. Mission is highly rainfast within 15 minutes, is not subject to LERAP, has a zero harvest interval and can be applied by farmers themselves, making it a very convenient product to use. Mission is also a much more cost-effective treatment compared to acid and leaves dry, brittle stems leading to an easy harvest," says David.
"Farmers can use a simple test to indicate when it is safe to apply Mission to potatoes with regard to dry conditions. They should make a field inspection within three days of the intended application timing, dig out several soil samples from the centre of the ridge 5cms below the lowest tuber and squeeze the soil sample into a ball in their hands. If there is sufficient moisture, it will remain as a ball and Mission can be applied with no concerns about vascular browning. If it is too dry, the soil sample will collapse and Mission should not be applied," advises Dr. Stormonth.
"Mission is also recommended for weed control in potatoes and in edible and non-edible row crops such as sugar beet and ornamentals and for hop stripping", says David.
