Teagasc have urged tillage farmers to update and improve their blight spraying program this season to deal with new strains of the plant disease.
Potato planting is three weeks ahead of last year for many Irish farmers, however, Ireland’s current climate of wet springs and summers can allow fungal diseases like late blight to thrive.
The agriculture and food development authority has said that the new resistant strain, EU43, is in all potato-growing areas of Ireland.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, John Pettit, Teagasc business and technology adviser for tillage, said that measures will have changed a lot since last year.
“The traditional blight spraying program has gone out the window," he said.
"You’re looking at insuring there is always a partner product or that you have two active ingredients in the tank minimum, at any one time.”
Resistance
Farmers are also urged to manage their fungicide usage as over-use can be a contributing factor for fungicide resistance.
“Last year presented additional challenges in that we’re dealing with new blight strains,” added Pettit.
“It’s hugely important that people keep on top of blight to keep intervals tight and that they use a suitable blight spray program for the coming season.”
Read more
Managing fungicide resistance in Irish crops
Strict guidelines remain for blight control, new product available
Disease-resistant spuds will not reduce need for chemistry - Teagasc
Potato planting three weeks ahead of 2024
Teagasc have urged tillage farmers to update and improve their blight spraying program this season to deal with new strains of the plant disease.
Potato planting is three weeks ahead of last year for many Irish farmers, however, Ireland’s current climate of wet springs and summers can allow fungal diseases like late blight to thrive.
The agriculture and food development authority has said that the new resistant strain, EU43, is in all potato-growing areas of Ireland.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, John Pettit, Teagasc business and technology adviser for tillage, said that measures will have changed a lot since last year.
“The traditional blight spraying program has gone out the window," he said.
"You’re looking at insuring there is always a partner product or that you have two active ingredients in the tank minimum, at any one time.”
Resistance
Farmers are also urged to manage their fungicide usage as over-use can be a contributing factor for fungicide resistance.
“Last year presented additional challenges in that we’re dealing with new blight strains,” added Pettit.
“It’s hugely important that people keep on top of blight to keep intervals tight and that they use a suitable blight spray program for the coming season.”
Read more
Managing fungicide resistance in Irish crops
Strict guidelines remain for blight control, new product available
Disease-resistant spuds will not reduce need for chemistry - Teagasc
Potato planting three weeks ahead of 2024
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