UK: Dry weather results in increased weed competition for emerging potatoes

Many potato crops are now emerging alongside intensive weed competition, with continued dry weather conditions having significantly reduced the efficacy of all residual herbicide treatments. The prospect of some limited rain showers this week (26 – 29 April) will trigger a surge of weed activity that could further delay crop growth.

Syngenta Potato Manager, Tom Whitworth, advises the higher available rates of Retro, at up to 4.0 l/ha, will be invaluable for growers seeking to remove larger and more aggressive weed competition this season.

"The rapid growth of weeds could compound the issues of delayed crop emergence in the dry conditions,"he warns. "Growers and agronomists will be seeking to control actively growing, vigorous weed populations. The higher rate of Retro will give faster and more robust kill of larger weeds. Cooler temperatures this week will give ideal conditions for Retro application and leave a clean seedbed for rapid crop growth,"he adds.