Potato applications
Broad-leaved crops present a completely different target to cereals, with horizontal leaves interlocking into a closed canopy. Persuading the spray into that canopy is tricky – often only 10-15% of spray ends up where it’s needed. Big drops hardly get below the surface, but fine drops can ride in horizontally on air turbulence.
Weed control
| Water volume | 100–200 l/ha depending on nozzle choice |
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| Nozzle choice |
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| Application speed |
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| Other comments | Coverage of both sides of the ridge is imperative, avoid spraying in cross winds |
Blight control
Angled nozzles such as the Syngenta Potato Nozzle, produce less drift and positively push a medium spray where it’s needed. As the crop develops and the canopy closes, these nozzles can double the amount of chemical reaching the lower parts of the plants.
| Water volume | 200 l/ha |
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| Nozzle choice |
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| Application speed |
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| Other comments | Lower volumes may be used in the very early part of the season but 200 l/ha is best for the majority of sprays |
Desiccation
Using foliar desiccation sprays usually means a 2 spray programme (depending on the size of the haulm). The first spray takes the leaves off and the second then targets the stems.
| Water volume | For very big haulms use 400 l/ha for the first spray to open up the crop, then use 200 l/ha for the second spray. 200 l/ha has been shown to be equal to or better than higher volumes after two sprays. |
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| Nozzle choice |
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| Application speed | As above |
| Other comments |
