Keep vigilant for aphids in potato crops through July.

With widespread, warm/hot conditions forecast for much of the UK, keep checking for the presence of winged aphids in crops this month and consider aphid control options if aphids are present. Clayton Sparta® and Clayton Occupy® control a range of aphids in potatoes.

Product focus – Aphid Control

Aphids transmit various damaging plant viruses and potato crops infected with these viruses e.g. potato leaf roll virus or potato virus Y can produce reduced yields and infected tubers. Aphid control programmes in seed crops should commence according to official forecasting warnings or if local aphid migration risk has been identified. In ware crops, spray treatments should start when aphid numbers are building rapidly and reach threshold levels.

Clayton Sparta® and Clayton Occupy® are targeted insecticides for effective aphid control in potatoes and control a wide range of disease-transmitting aphids in potatoes, including Peach-potato aphid, Potato aphid, Buckthorn-potato aphid and others.

CLAYTON SPARTA®

Pyrethroid insecticide for the control of aphids in potatoes.

50 g/l lambda-cyhalothrin

Use rate and timing: Apply at 0.15 l/ha for a maximum of 4 treatments per crop (maximum total dose 0.6 l/ha) with a minimum interval of 7 days between applications.

Seed / Ware crops: Spray upon professional advice or immediately threshold levels are reached. Repeat at 7-14 days as necessary whilst aphids present a risk. To discourage aphid feeding (so as to minimise virus transmission) and to control aphids already in the crop use Clayton Sparta in mixture with another insecticide with an alternative mode of action. This also ensures good resistance management practice. Observe any label restrictions on the partner product.

Target pests: Aphids, including Peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae), Potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) and others.

CLAYTON OCCUPY®

Tetronic insecticide for the control of a range of aphids in potatoes.

150 g/l spirotetramat

Use rate and timing: Apply at 0.48 l/ha for a maximum of 4 treatments per crop, latest time of application 14 days before harvest.

Apply as aphids start to build up in the crop. The product works relatively slowly and works best when the plant vascular system is actively transporting product and the pest species are actively feeding. All potato varieties may be treated.

Target pests: Peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae), Glasshouse-potato aphid (Aulacorthum solani), Buckthorn-potato aphid (Aphis nasturtii).