The desiccant Mission, which can be used on potatoes, peas and other crops, is now being supplied by Interfarm.
The product, which contains 200 g/l diquat and is formulated as a water soluble concentrate, is described as an effective and fast-acting dessicant.
“In particular, potato growers will welcome its addition to our product range, as blight pressure is so high and they will want a dessicant that delivers rapid and thorough haulm destruction which Mission does within two weeks of application,” said Dr David Stormonth, the firm’s technical manager.
For ware and seed potatoes, Mission is recommended at a dose rate of 4l/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. The product is said to be highly rainfast within 15 minutes, is not subject to LERAP, has a zero harvest interval and can be applied be growers themselves.
“Farmers can use a simple test to indicate when it is safe to apply Mission to potatoes with regard to dry conditions,” Stormonth explained. “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.”
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.
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