Dr Eugenia Banks, long time potato specialist and consultant for the Ontario Potato Board in Canada writes in her most recent email newsletter to potato growers that potato growers who used Orondis Gold during the wet 2017 season were pleased with the performance of this fungicide.
She says growers can continue using Orondis Gold for late blight during the season, as long as it has NOT been applied in-furrow at planting time for pink rot control. Dr Banks points out that Orondis Gold has been registered as an in-furrow treatment at planting for pink rot/leak, or as a foliar application to control late blight.
“It’s one or the other, not both,” she cautions. So, what’s the best choice? There are a few points that Dr Banks suggests growers keep in mind when using Orondis Gold.
- Most potato varieties are susceptible to either pink rot or leak, but research has shown that some varieties are particularly susceptible to pink rot. These varieties include Russet Norkotah, Dark Red Norland (often used as a susceptible standard), and the red skinned variety NorDonna. If you will grow any of these 3 varieties in 2019, then Orondis in-furrow is a good choice.
- The variety Yukon Gem has some resistance to late blight but not to pink rot. It is a good candidate for Orondis in-furrow.
- Varieties that usually develop lush foliage are good candidates for foliar applications of Orondis to reduce the incidence of late blight.
- The fumigant chloropicrin acts more like a fungicide than a biocide. It has been reported that chloropicrin controls pink rot and Pythium leak. Anecdotical evidence from Alliston concurs with published reports: a fresh market grower used to have problems with Pythium leak every year. Since he started fumigating his Superiors with chloropicrin, he has not had problems with leak.
- If a field has had a history of pink rot, then there is no doubt that Orondis Gold should be applied in-furrow.
“Potato growers know their fields and varieties very well,” Dr Banks says, “common sense allows them to make the right decisions. Thus, the final decision will be up to them.”
Dr Banks further announced that Dr. Jeff Miller from Idaho will discuss his trials with Orondis Gold at the upcoming Ontario Potato Conference on March 6, which will take place in Guelph. She says Dr Miller will give attendees more tips to help growers make a decision on the Orondis Gold application timing.
Growers are encouraged to attend the one day potato conference. Further detailed information on the program can be found on this page. One of the invited speakers, Dr. Jiwan Palta, will give a presentation on the Impact of Calcium on Heat and Drought Stress. Dr Palta is a world renowned specialist on calcium as it applies to potato production.
Anyone can get in touch with Dr Banks directly for registration details or any other information on the potato conference: EugeniaBanks@onpotato.ca.
