{"id":1334594,"date":"2024-06-25T06:20:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T05:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriland.ie\/?p=1334594"},"modified":"2024-06-24T10:18:11","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T09:18:11","slug":"tillage-ipm-can-play-a-critical-role-in-preventing-blight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsail.agriland.ie\/farming-news\/tillage-ipm-can-play-a-critical-role-in-preventing-blight\/","title":{"rendered":"Tillage: IPM can play a critical role in preventing blight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Potato growers have been reminded that the use of fungicides is not the only weapon in their armoury when it comes to preventing blight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques can also be extremely important in this context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put simply, IPM is a coordinated and planned strategy for the prevention, detection and control of pests, weeds, and diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The continuing loss of plant protection products and rising levels of disease resistance means that the conventional crop protection toolbox is shrinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of IPM within the potato sector was specifically highlighted at a recent blight workshop, hosted by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) and Teagasc in Co. Down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CAFRE senior crops advisor, Robin Bolton, confirmed that growers must start by selecting seed of the highest quality, adding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cGrowers will have little choice in the varieties they grow, given that markets are very specific in relation to the types of potatoes that are required.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHowever, seed is an entirely different matter. Growers should hot-box a selection of seed prior to planting. This will allow them to ascertain specific disease pressures that may arise prior to planting. They can then plan accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“All equipment used in the grading and planting processes must be meticulously cleaned on a regular basis so as to maximise the levels of disease control they can achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n