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- Researchers find Ridomil Gold increases yield, profitability
Field trials in 1999 with such products as Ridomil Gold EC fungicide, Fulfill insecticide and Maxim seed treatment fungicide, along with experimental solutions were discussed in an open dialogue format. Novartis Crop Protection division hosted the seminar to foster camaraderie, and listen to researchers’ recommendations about what works and what direction Novartis needs to take with potatoes.
“We’re launching six products in two years,” said Claude Flueckiger, crop director for vegetables and potatoes for Novartis. He said most of those attending the seminar did some kind of research for those six products.
One of the most important findings at the seminar for Novartis was that Ridomil Gold, a product previously used for disease control, increased potato yield 5%-10% overall with one application at planting, according to Flueckiger. He said Ridomil Gold has always had a foliar application, but this was the first time it has been launched as product to be used in the soil.
Use of Ridomil Gold could increase profits for growers. If a grower receives $2,000 per acre for potatoes, a 5-10% yield could result in a $100-$200 increase per acre for the grower, Flueckiger said.
Gary Secor, professor of plant pathology at North Dakota State University and his colleague, Neil Gudmescad, have been testing Ridomil for 11 years. “We started looking at when the best time to use Ridomil would be,” said Secor. They determined that the product should be used when tubers are a nickel or quarter in size and then 14 days later.
“We started to look at putting it on at planting,” Secor said, as is done for a number of other crops. In trials at NDSU potato yields increased 5%. “Even without disease, you see a bump in yield,” Secor said. He said they also saw an increase in the percent of tubers greater than 13 ounces, which garner a higher price to growers with french fry contracts.
“We feel so strongly about it. Ridomil is an effective management tool particularly for potatoes that are going to be stored,” said Secor. He said Ridomil offers better disease control, resistance management and increased profitability.
“Pink rot is a primary concern in Minnesota potatoes,” says Jeff Miller, potato pathologist, University of Minnesota. “From the seminar, I have a better understanding of how Novartis is working to control pink rot with Ridomil Gold fungicide at planting. That gives me a chance to conduct a very focused study next year that will help growers make better choices.”
Ridomil Gold EC was tested under special local needs (24C) registrations in several states as an at-planting treatment for control of storage and tuber rot disease as pink rot caused by phytophthora erythroseptica and pythium leak, caused by pythium spp.
Trial results with Fulfill, which was registered for used in potatoes in November 1999, confirms the product provides excellent aphid control with minimal impact on beneficial insects, according to the company. Fulfill was used in 1999 in Wisconsin under an experimental use permit. Commercial results and research showed that the product also stops persistent viral transmission.
Maxim seed treatment provides a broad spectrum of activity against seed and soil-borne pathogens that cause poor emergence, uneven emergence and reduced crop stand, which can decrease growers’ yields and profits. Novartis research in 1999 confirmed the value of early-season disease control to help improve season-long health. Trials also confirmed that Maxim is a pre-mix alternative in potatoes grown for seed and provides good control of seed-borne late blight from the seed treatment.
In 2000 researchers will conduct extensive tests on Platinum, a soil treatment using thiamethoxam, a second-generation neonicotinoid insecticide for control of sucking and chewing pests, Actara, a foliar treatment and Adage, a seed treatment. Research trials in 1999 showed promising results with Flint, a strobilurin fungicide, for control of early blight in potatoes.
Copyright, Great American Publishing, The Vegetable Growers News 343 South Union Street - PO Box 128 Sparta, Michigan 49345 616-887-9008 | fax 616-887-2666 | email