With the loss of CIPC in 2020, both growers and potato storage experts have faced increasing complexity in building in-store sprout suppression programmes.
But with the introduction of alternative sprout control options like ARGOS - alongside a focus on understanding how to optimise its application - the 2023/24 season looks set to deliver positive results.
The introduction of ARGOS
CIPC delivered excellent sprout suppression at a comparatively low cost, so when that was lost, at UPL we were determined to find a suitable alternative.
In 2021, we launched ARGOS (orange oil), to provide an additional in-store option to the limited products available. ARGOS works by burning the growing points off the tuber, and is very effective at controlling sprouting in potatoes destined for all markets.
Geoff Hailstone, UPL’s potato technical expert, explains:
“The active ingredient in ARGOS is pure, food-grade orange oil, sourced from the food chain with an exceptionally sustainable footprint. It leaves no residues in the tubers and does not taint their flavour.”
“I have seen it remove very large sprouts, although I would not advise letting tubers reach this stage!”
Critically, treated potatoes can be removed from the store 48 hours after an application, giving growers flexibility when selling crops, which gives it a huge benefit over other options.
Adrian Cunnington from Potato Storage Insight says:
“We no longer have the flexibility CIPC gave. We cannot dip in and out of stores like we once could. We also never had to worry about building a programme because we used it through the season.”
But, as we learnt more about the real world impact of applications, we saw how ARGOS provides a viable solution.
Developing our understanding of ARGOS best practice
Without CIPC, and with ADHB unable to conduct research due to the loss of the potato levy, there’s been a big gap in data on product performance for sprout control.
A gap UPL is determined to address, through:
More trial work
More investigations of sequenced options
More data collection into application practices
Investment in new in-store automated sensor technology
Last season, UPL began a potato sprout inhibitor stewardship ‘big data’ project to examine the best way to use programmes of different products for short, medium and long-term storage for different markets,” says Geoff.
“We want to improve our understanding of the different levels of control growers achieve. This should lead to better and more cost-effective potato storage.”
The goal? More accurate application timing.
How to apply ARGOS effectively this year
In analysing the challenges growers experienced with ARGOS initially, it quickly became clear that almost all problems came back to insufficient product circulation in store.
“UPL invested significant time discovering the cause in each case and advising contractors. I am delighted to say this paid off with no reported issues with Argos last season,” adds Geoff.
His recommendations include:
Switch refrigeration off 24 hours in advance of fogging, to homogenise store temperature
Check fans have variable speed capacity, to give a uniform slow airflow throughout the store (set to delivering an air velocity of around 2 to 4 m/s)
Make sure there’s sufficient space in front of the fog outlet to allow dispersion before contact with the potatoes
Avoid overfilling the store, to give sufficient headspace above the potatoes for fog to disperse.
Focus on application timings.
“Late application risks poor control and encourages secondary sprouting around the apical sprout. The ideal timing is when 20-30% have ‘white points’ just visible, allowing longer intervals between treatments and a lower final cost.”
With regular checks to watch for secondary sprout suppression, and the ability to deliver season-long protection, ARGOS is a powerful option for any sprout control programme in 2023/24.
Find out more about ARGOS here.
