The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is inviting researchers in the UK to tender for a new project to understand alternative potato desiccation methods in the absence of diquat.
The loss of approval for diquat has wide ramifications since it is currently the main product used by potato growers to desiccate crops.
Joe Martin, crop protection senior scientist for AHDB, said: “This research will be closely aligned with our knowledge exchange programme and trials will be carried out across our Strategic Potato (SPot) farm network.
We are now requesting tenders for scientific coordination and trial implementation at a number of our sites. It may be that one organisation may tender for any part or the whole of this research – this can be split into research area or by region.”
This topic was introduced at SPot North in 2018, where Graham Tomalin of VCS Agronomy carried out work at Somerby Top Farm in Brigg, North Lincolnshire.
