If you’re a potato grower, you’ll already know all about the importance of maleic hydrazide - a key ingredient in FAZOR, our product of the month. Its application is essential in sprout control programmes, and we’ve got new best practice guidance to help you maximise its effectiveness. “90% of growers are using maleic hydrazide,” says Geoff Hailstone, UPL’s potato technical expert. “Because FAZOR is applied to the crop, it’s the most cost-effective method.” It’s also one of the most effective for sprout suppression. The benefits of FAZOR Typical sprout control programmes include an initial application of ARGOS (orange oil) within two to six weeks to support sprout suppression - sometimes even sooner following a hot growth season. But with FAZOR, that ARGOS application isn’t needed until two or three months later. Not only does using FAZOR streamline operations and potentially lower application costs, it also offers additional benefits to treated crops including: A lower risk of secondary growth Reduced internal sprouting in store A significant reduction of volunteer potatoes in the following crops When to apply FAZOR Like all plant growth regulators, timing the application for the correct growth stage is crucial. Maleic hydrazide needs to be properly absorbed and translocated to the growth points of the tubers, and to achieve that, you’ll want to apply at the optimum time. Geoff Hailstone, our potato technical expert, recommends applying FAZOR when: The saleable tubers are larger than 25mm (apply too early, and you may prevent tuber development and reduce yield) You see the first signs of the lowest leaves senescing (when some flowers are still present but most have fallen) There’s between three and five weeks before haulm destruction “Getting the correct timing can be tricky, especially when growers are juggling blight spray programmes and irrigation, but growers must prioritise FAZOR because they only have one opportunity to get it right,” says Geoff. Above all, focus on tubers being larger than 25mm. Maleic hydrazide stops cell division, but above 25mm this process is already complete, so there’s no negative effect on your yield. Improving application effectiveness When you want to apply FAZOR in the most efficient, most effective way possible, there are a few key tips to follow. Don’t mix FAZOR in a tank with other products Apply it at least 24 hours before irrigation or rainfall Apply in the evening if daytime temperatures exceed 25C Use a water volume of between 350 and 500 litres per hectare for optimum crop coverage “Even if you don’t have ideal conditions, there’s still very valuable sprout suppression from MH levels of 3 or 4 ppm”, add Geoff, noting the value of maleic hydrazide however it’s applied.
But if you follow this best practice - and the more detailed guidance on FAZOR - your potato crops will be well on the way to the best possible quality and the best market prices.
