b'PARTNER CONTENTDrive Potato Quality and Yield with Seed TreatmentsS eed potato treatments do more than protect against disease, ward off pests and maximize yield. They protect the longev-ity of the industry itself. When growers use treated seed potatoes that are certified, theyre protecting the quality of the crop this year and for years to come, said Kiran Shetty, Technical Development Lead for Spe-cialty Crops with Syngenta.Certified seed is critical for maximizing yield potential and quality in a crop that requires an ever-increasing investment to be successful. Additionally, certified seed maintains the value traits of the crop, offers traceability, ensures varietal purity and can even create access to premium markets. In short, its essen-tial. And the sure-fire way to maximize the seed potato product is to start with an effective seed treatment regime. Thats where Syngentas CruiserMaxx Potato Extreme comes in. Shetty explained that seed potato treatment is largely done on farm, which can cause plenty of variations depending on weather,Dan Maxfield, SyngentaKiran Shetty, Technical treating and storage conditions and timing. That makes using anAgronomic ServicesDevelopment Lead for effective seed treatment a must. He added that about 85% of theRepresentative for the PacificSpecialty Crops with Syngenta seed potato crop is cut, meaning its divided into smaller pieces toNortheast maximize output. including control of seed-borne late blight and suppression of Once you cut the seed, you increased the opportunity for devel- pink rot. opment for diseases. You really made it a sitting duck, he said.Dan Maxfield, Syngenta Agronomic Services Representative The first seed potato treatmentsoffered 40 years agowerefor the Pacific Northeast, said it is this variety of quality products mostly dust-based that protected the cut surface for a certainthat helps his sales team support the growers. period of time. In Canada, the treatments were talc based. ByWhen it comes to potatoes and pest problems, its always a the late 1990, Syngenta pioneered a liquid-based treatment thatmoving target of pressures, he said. Beetles, aphids and leaf hop-included an insecticide along with a fungicide and drying agentpers top the list in the canopy, while white mold (stem rot) and so the seed would heal. This was developed by Shettys team atwireworm infestations are at work in the soil. Syngenta.Potato growers have become a lot more proactive and educat-The latest generationCruiserMaxx Potato Extremein- ed about the challenges that come with their crops, he said. The cludes two fungicides for early-season control of key seed- andpest shift in the area can really be dynamic. For example, there soil-borne diseases, protection against certain insect pests andwas no deep freeze in this area last winter so many pests were not proactive management against resistance from pathogens.killed off. That meant a new course of treatments for this year.But Shetty and his team didnt stop there. In 2012, SyngentaThe Cruiser line has truly been a game changer, he said. It launched CruiserMaxx Vibrance Potato, another liquid seed po- offers a multitude of defenses when growers need them. But as the tato treatment that improves root structure and stand establish- game continues to change, Syngenta keeps pace, developing new ment. In addition to broad-spectrum disease control, it ensuresproducts to meet the demand. Thats where Minecto Pro comes stronger, healthier roots for higher crop productivity. Worldwidein, a non-neonicotinoid insecticide.field trials show higher and more consistent yields for all majorMinecto Pro has really been important to manage foliage crops, including potatoes. pests and provide a rotation away from a foliar neonicotinoid And brand new is Vibrance Ultra Potato, a liquid fungi- product, Maxfield said. It has excellent control over the most cide only (no insecticide) seed treatment that provides broad- prevalent potato pest, the Colorado potato beetle, as well as spectrum protection against key seed- and soil-borne diseases,difficult-to-control insects, such as aphids and psyllids.SEPTEMBER 2020SEEDWORLD.COM /41'