According to Delphy researcher Johan Wanders, the results confirm the positive image of the Loof Does; that have been identified in previous studies. “It went well with half a dose, even as good as a whole one.” He does notice some reluctance in practice, however.
With the package of resources coming under increasing pressure, the search focuses on techniques that improve the effectiveness of haulm killing in seed potatoes and reduce the use of resources. With the Loof Does from Agricult, folding in one pass is combined with spraying. By applying the product to the folded stems with the low volume Loof Does technique, a low spray volume can suffice and the stubble is completely covered all around. Consulting and research company Delphy, commissioned by Agricult, put this to the test last season.
The results speak for themselves. With the combination of haulm flaps – Foliage Does with Spotlight, the stem dieback, rate of dieback, regrowth and pulling power were equal to the standard object with haulm flaps and a Spotlight spray the next day. When using the Loof-Does, a half dose of Spotlight gave the same result as a full dose. This has already been demonstrated with Reglone and Finale in multi-year independent trials by Arvalis. After the authorization of Reglone and Finale has expired, a reliable and effective use of the resources still available is therefore a must.
Low Volume Loof-Does
In 2003 Agricult developed the low-volume Loof-Does in order to improve the haulm killing after the blowing process and to increase the capacity in seed potato cultivation. This shiny four-row stainless steel ‘spray hood’ has been their standard method for many seed potato growers for years. The new reality is that of low-drift nozzles and available resources. Trials show that higher spray volumes of around 500 liters per hectare get the best results with the field sprayer. This makes the ‘KLD (Clap-Loof Does) method’ even more of an interesting option. Good results were achieved with the combination of haulm flaps and Loof Does with 40 liters per hectare. The low spray volume is not a problem even at low relative humidity.
With the Loof Does you can use all common means. In 2020, Delphy also came to the same conclusion during tests, then on behalf of BO Akkerbouw. By using the Haulm Does in combination with blowing, you can also get just as good a result with half a dose as full-field spraying with Spotlight a day after the haulm flapping.
Grip on haulm killing
Last season’s trials in Agrias that were still very green, which were carried out by Delphy, have once again confirmed the good effect. “For years we have shown that half a dose of Loof Does has just as good an effect as full-field spraying,” concludes Agricult director Adriaan van de Ven. “Even under difficult conditions and with difficult varieties, the effect of the Loof Does is consistent. No grower is happy to go into the field several times with 550 liters per hectare. You will then have a larger working width; but with the Loof Does you are in most cases done once, with a better result.”
The Loof Does can also be used for soil treatments of, for example, Rhizoctonia in a working pass with milling, weed control during ridge milling and spot spraying. “A great result with fewer resources. It provides security, a lot of convenience and peace of mind with haulm killing, which we often hear as sound.”
Decrease Spotlight Dosage
Ultimately, the most important conclusion for Van de Ven is that it is once again confirmed that with the application of a Loof Does, the dosage of Spotlight can be reduced without a reduction in effectiveness. “Eventually we have to get there. A lot more will be chosen for clapping followed by spraying. Thanks to the Loof Does technique, the product is optimally applied to the folded stems and a low ‘spray volume’ is still sufficient. An important aspect is also that virtually no regrowth occurs, which ensures that the virus infection can continue. The combination of clapping-Loof Does proves to be very effective in this respect”
Tasting with new drug
In addition to the use of the Loof Does with Spotlight, the use of a new substance under number was also examined. The objective was whether and in what dosage this product is effective with the Loof Does. Delphy plotted objects with claps-Loof Does using a treatment with 50 percent, 100 percent and 25 percent of the agent. In addition, there was one object with fifty percent that also had a pre-treatment with Quick-Down.
With the combination of haulm flaps – foliage does with the new product number with a full and a half dose, the death of the stems and the pulling power were the same. There was, however, a little more regrowth. A Quickdown spray prior to haulm strikes – Haulm Does at half rate slightly reduced the rate of regrowth. The good effectiveness of the Loof Does also seems to lead to a reduction in the dosage with this new product. The Loof Does is equipped with its own GPS. “In this way, the correct dosage is always given at any working speed.”
According to Delphy researcher Johan Wanders, the results confirm the positive image of the Loof Does; that have been identified in previous studies. “It went well with half a dose, even as good as a whole one.” He does notice some reluctance in practice, however. “Not every grower thinks three meters of working width is ideal. They prefer to opt for full-field spraying on a large working width. The question is whether this will even be possible in the future. Then this is simply a proven technique.”
The next application for which the Loof Does is used is ground treatment and milling. In addition, more and more growers are using the Loof Does for weed control in a single pass behind the rotary tiller.
