Potatoes: tools for a better start to the season

To produce a good harvest, help the plant get a better start and reduce diseases and insects. An overview of treatments.

Cutting: Cutting the tuber creates a gateway for disease. Uniformly-sized seed pieces (42 to 70 g) will maximize emergence. Treat them with a fungicide (Maxim MZ PSP or Maxim D).

Planting: The soil temperature must be at least 7°C (5 to 7.5 cm deep). Soil that is too cold delays growth, increases the risk of rotting and reduces the population density. At planting, treat against diseases and insects. For fungi causing Rhizoctonia, use Quadris or Vertisan.

As for insects, treatments on seed pieces or in the furrow will control Colorado beetle, flea beetle, leafhoppers and aphids. Group 4 insecticides (ex. Actara) are effective. Since 2014, Minecto Duo optimizes the control of Colorado beetle and reduces the risk of resistance.