'Infinito remains indispensable for practice'

Infinite has been a basic tool in the control of late blight for almost 15 years. Many properties of the agent are now thoroughly known, such as the very strong, reliable effect, the flexible application options and the high operational reliability.

However, every season new questions arise from practice. According to Bayer's Crop Advisor and potato specialist Simon Jensma, Infinito will remain indispensable for the practice for the time being.

Can Infinito cope with the new isolates EU-36 and EU-37?
"In recent years, various (pot) trials have been carried out in which the activity of Infinito against all major isolates – Blue 13, EU-36 and EU-37 – has been examined. These have shown that the product has an excellent effect on all isolates, so also on the newer and more aggressive varieties EU-36 and EU-37. Infinito therefore tackles Phytophthora across the board."

What about Infinito's rain resistance?
"In the most recent resource table from Euroblight (the independent network of phytophthora experts, ed.), Infinito receives a rating of 2,5 bubbles for rain resistance. That is simply good. Moreover, in recent rain resistance tests (2019) we have been reconfirmed that the agent requires a drying time of about an hour for a good absorption. We also saw that the absorption increases rapidly after 30 minutes. For the time being, however, we are sticking to the drying time of 1 to 2 hours, when applied to a dry crop."

To what extent does Infinito work on an aging crop?
"Infinite – and in particular the active ingredient fluopicolide – offers excellent protection against late blight later in the season, against both leaf and tuber infections. In a large series of purge tests carried out in Northwest Europe last year, Infinito (1,6 l/ha) has shown that even the best protection against late leaf infections. Infinito also works well against tuber infections, although this property has been somewhat overlooked in recent years, especially because Infinito is often positioned in the middle block. In a comparative test last season, however, we saw that Infinito is not inferior to products that are often used at the end of the season in terms of tuber protection."

What role can Infinito play in resistance management?
"Infinito contains the active substances propamocarb and fluopicolide. These are in different chemical groups (FRAC 28 & 43, ed.). Virtually all other phytophthora agents have only two chemical groups with their active substances (FRAC 21 & 40, ed. There are no problems with resistance yet, but Infinito can make an important contribution to prevent this in the future."

Finally, where is the best place for Infinito in the spraying schedule?
"For seed potatoes, the advice remains: from the beginning of tuber formation to haulm killing, with a maximum quantity of 6,4 liters per hectare. If necessary, an agent against Alternaria can be added, such as the new product Propulse.

For consumption and starch potatoes, our advice is: from the beginning of tuber formation until the hose is rinsed. Depending on the phytophthora pressure, the rate of Infinito can be gradually increased from 0,9 l/ha in very dry conditions at low pressure, to 1,2 l/ha at normal pressure, to 1,6 l/ha at high pressure. Busy. Optionally, 0,2 l/ha of Curzate® partner can be added to this, for example when there are already infections in the crop. With these super-flexible application options, Infinite in any spraying schedule.”

^{Curzate® partner is a registered trademark of Corteva Agriscience}

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