Powdery Mildew and the Biorational Kumar are not friends. "Let that be the intention," says Certis technical advisor Harry Hansma. The durable and highly effective fungicide makes short work of spores and fungal threads of this difficult disease in crops such as chicory, chicory roots and salsify.
Powdery mildew is an annual problem in many crops. Not only in humid years, but also when water is actively irrigated during dry periods. "In combination with high temperatures, the fungus can spread rapidly," Hansma knows. "With the biorational Kumar, growers of chicory, chicory roots and salsify can defend themselves well against this, according to experience in research and practice."
Yield loss due to mildew
Powdery mildew can be recognized by the white, powdery spores on the leaves. These need little moisture to germinate and grow, allowing the disease to spread quickly. The growth inhibition (= loss of yield) by this leaf fungus is often greater than growers think, Hansma concludes. "After several years of research in chicory, the IRS calculated that the use of fungicides gives an extra root yield on average 3,6 tons per hectare. Where conventional fungicides cannot be used, such as in organic crops and increasingly in groundwater protection areas, the yield can be lower. With Kumar can that gap now be closed."
Also in organic cultivation
The timely deployment of Kumar can effectively suppress powdery mildew. Thanks to the Skal approval, it is good insurance for crops in which only green products are allowed or desirable, such as Planet Proof. "Kumar is a reliable fungicide for both organic and conventional agriculture and very suitable for growers who prefer to deliver their products without residue and with few environmental impact points," emphasizes the technical specialist.
Preventive and curative
Kumar is a registered product of natural origin (biorational) based on potassium hydrogen carbonate. It is a durable and powerful fungicide with both preventive and curative effect. As soon as powdery mildew mold spores and threads come into contact with the active ingredient, they shrivel. This is due to a combination of osmotic pressure, pH change and action by bicarbonate ions.
Bonus point Planet Proof
Especially the curative nature of Kumar appeals to growers, Hansma knows. "For salsify, the complete lack of residue is a big plus," he notes. "No residue, who wouldn't want that? For crops under the Planet Proof label, application even yields a bonus point."
No resistance build-up
A strong point in all crops is the high stability of the agent, which is essentially a natural salt. Hansma: "Even after many years of intensive use, fungi have not built up a resistance to this biorational. It is already well established in greenhouse horticulture and open cultivation of strawberries, among other things. We expect arable farmers to pick up on it soon."
Usage advice
For chicory, chicory roots and salsify, the recommended dose is 3 kg/ha, with a maximum of 8 applications per crop. The highly soluble granulate is easy to combine with other fungicides. In a tank mix it enhances the curative effect and the dosage may be reduced to 2 kg/ha. Use enough water to cover the crop, preferably 500 liters per hectare. Additional adhesives or wetting agents are not necessary, they are already in the product.