Potatoes harvested early for the rainy period (late August and early September) under high temperatures are now very restless. It was often difficult to cool these batches down due to a lack of cold nights. Many of these lots hardly ever enter their natural dormancy and show germ development immediately.
Lots that are harvested later after the rain at lower temperatures are generally quieter, but also not easy to cool down due to too few cold nights. Lots treated with ROYAL MH can also be restless at higher storage temperatures above 10 degrees. It is important to cool these batches as quickly as possible, so that the MD can resume its inhibiting effect. In addition, a timely start with the (follow-up) treatment is crucial!
Apply ARGOS on time
Monitoring the potatoes in storage is very important to apply ARGOS on time. The application should take place in the ‘white dots’ stage and not later. So as soon as the potatoes come loose and 20% to 30% of the tubers show the first white points, apply ARGOS and do not wait. The tiny germs of tubers that do not yet show dots on the face are also burned off by an application with ARGOS. So treat on time and do not wait until the germs are larger than this ‘white points’ stage. Minimum interval between treatments is three weeks.
Working of ARGOS
The working of ARGOS UPL is based on the burning off of white dots of 1 mm to 2 mm in size. Then the best result is achieved, the potatoes remain at rest and the lasting effect is better. Late deployment of ARGOS can also stimulate the development of other eyes. This is not the case with timely deployment and the potato remains at rest. Tubers at rest are also not stimulated to germinate by an ARGOS application. ARGOS is therefore not a fire-fighting agent that is used to burn off germs larger than the white dot stage, but a sprout inhibitor that must be used in professional storage in a timely manner!
No peel fire
ARGOS works selectively. The product burns off the germs effectively in the white point stage, but does not damage the skin of the tuber. It is important to make sure that the mist has enough free space when applying. When applied over the heap or boxes, it is important to ensure that the mist is not blown directly on or just above the potatoes, but up into the free space over the potatoes. Avoid misting against the filled potato boxes or obstacles. With proper application there is no risk of peel fire.
Apply with little free space above the heap or boxes
When there is little free space above the potato heap or boxes , it is important that the ARGOS mist can spread well and is carried along with the air flow. The mist should not concentrate above the heap or boxes, because then there is a risk that the mist will deposit on the potatoes. That can cause damage. If there is limited space above the heap, reduce the fogger’s delivery capacity and ensure internal ventilation is turned on well in advance. This is especially important when applying a Crop Fog that has a high capacity and can deliver many liters per minute. Ensure internal ventilation is turned on well before application. After administration, turn off the internal ventilation only when no more mist is visible.
