High expectations of new remedy alternaria

Alternaria damage in potatoes varies from year to year. Once it is in the crop, it is virtually impossible to combat it. Due to the long incubation period, choosing curative control is really dangerous. A preventive approach is therefore the best option.

Technical arable farming consultant Bert Westhoff of BASF has followed many alternaria trials and practical plots in recent years. His conclusion: "You can only keep a grip on alternaria with preventive control. Starting too late or stopping too early simply costs a lot of yield." The fungicide belanty (active ingredient Revysol) is available for the first time this season and has shown a very strong effect against alternaria in tests. It is also effective on sclerotinia. "Expectations of Belanty are indeed high," says Westhoff.

Resistance management
Now that mancozeb is no longer available, according to Westhoff, resistance management is even more important. Alternating resources is a precondition to be able to benefit from the current products for a long time to come. belanty may be used up to three times at a rate of 1,25 l/ha. The drug should be used preventively as much as possible. "Start with Belanty and then alternate it with other strong remedies such as Propulse," advises Westhoff. For alternaria control it is usually wise to start the first application from halfway through flowering. Belanty mixes well with other fungicides and insecticides.

_{*Propulse is a registered trademark of Bayer Crop Science}