Despite continuing dry weather, potato growers still need to control weeds effectively in order to get the crop off to a strong start and some are electing to use more traditional herbicides which they have found offer a better chance of performing under dry conditions.
According to Phil Brown of BASF, there has been a strong revival in the interest in pendimethalin. “Pendimethalin (Stomp Aqua) is seen as an effective, safe residual herbicide in many crops and it is now finding its rightful place in potatoes. Its longer persistence is an advantage in potatoes, especially as it is applied that little bit earlier than other residuals. Stomp Aqua should be applied as soon as possible after planting and final ridging up, but no later than 7 days before crop emergence. This earlier window means that growers can get the job done and avoid being caught out by difficult travelling conditions or workload problems later in the season when potatoes are closer to emergence.â€
“In particular, with the variable soil moisture conditions this spring, Stomp Aqua’s shoot uptake by target weeds complements root uptake of its tank-mix partners, metribuzin (Sencorex) or linuron, to improve weed control. Its increased bio-availability or reduced vapour action means that more active ingredient is kept at the site of activity,†explains Phil.
Stomp Aqua has recognised grass and broad-leaved weed activity, with a good reputation for controlling Annual Meadow-grass, Black-grass and other grass-weeds plus Chickweed, Fat-hen, Knotgrass, Hemp Nettle, Red Dead-nettle, Small Nettle and Speedwells, all important in potatoes.
Mixing with another residual such as metribuzin or linuron, fill gaps in the weed spectrum such as Charlock and Mayweeds and improves the consistency of control.
Phil Brown explains that weed control options include applying 2.9 l/ha of Stomp Aqua plus 0.5 kg/ha of metribuzin, with the metribuzin improving control of Black-bindweed, Cleavers, Charlock, Groundsel, Mayweed and Volunteers. He warns that growers will need to check varieties and soil conditions as is appropriate for metribuzin use on potatoes. “If growers find it difficult to get hold of metribuzin this year, an alternative mix of 2.9 l/ha of Stomp Aqua plus 1.2 l/ha of a 500 g/l linuron could be used, where linuron will improve control of Black Nightshade, Mayweed and Shepherd’s Purse.â€
Already widely used in many crops around the farm, growers have found Stomp Aqua to be a much easier to use formulation than other pendimethalins. “It is the highest loaded formulation, containing 455 g/l, which means reduced packaging waste. It has no odour and much less staining, and this means faster washing of containers and equipment. Those potato growers who haven’t used the new Stomp Aqua before will be pleasantly surprised with its ease of use and its efficacy,†says Mr. Brown.
