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When planting potatoes, gardeners naturally expect a good and healthy harvest. But how could it be otherwise, because the hassle associated with planting, hilling, watering and treatments against pests is already quite enough to count on the fact that efforts will not be wasted. But already with the onset of steadily warm weather, the constant enemies of any cultivated plants – weeds – go into battle. Unlike their cultural counterparts, they are content with very little, and develop quickly – that’s why they quickly get ahead and drown out the timid shoots of potatoes. In addition, they contribute to the spread of many pests and spores of fungal diseases of potatoes, so it is undesirable to allow their rapid development – in this case, the crop may not be seen at all.
If you have a relatively small area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbpotatoes, then you can try to cope with the invasion of weeds on your own or using mechanical means of processing. But in vast areas, herbicides are usually used. Of course, these chemicals destroy plants, but if you use them wisely and in exactly the time allotted for this, then there is a chance that the weeds will be smitten on the spot, and the potatoes will ripen tasty and healthy.
What are herbicides for potatoes
There are several classifications of herbicides against weeds for potatoes. So, according to how exactly they affect weeds, two groups of herbicides are distinguished:
- Contact – according to the name, they affect only the leaves or stems of plants, where they directly fall. They are not able to move to the roots of plants, therefore, as a rule, only the aerial part of the weeds dies. Usually they are used against annual and biennial plants, such as wood lice, shepherd’s purse, bindweed.
- Systemic – have the ability to penetrate into the vascular system of plants and move freely through it. As a result, both the aboveground and underground parts of plants die, that is, they are able to cope with powerful perennials, such as wheatgrass, thistle and others.
The following two groups of herbicides are also distinguished according to the method of their application:
- Soil or pre-emergence – as the name implies, they are applied before germination or even before planting potatoes. Usually they are granules that are applied to the soil to a depth of about 5-10 cm. These drugs are toxic to weed seeds and prevent them from germinating. Active substances do not move freely through the soil, therefore they do not pose a danger to potato tubers. But they are able to provide long-term protection against weeds.
- Leafy, they are also called post-emergence. These herbicides are applied to plants by spraying and act on the leaves and stems of the plants. They are usually used after germination, precisely during the period when it is still difficult for young potato plants to resist the rapid development of weeds. Most of the time they are selective. In the future, when the potato bushes grow and get stronger, they themselves are able to stand up for themselves and may well suppress most of the weeds.
Finally, there is a classification of herbicides according to the purpose of their action:
- continuous action – it is clear that these drugs kill everything around. It is clear that they are also very dangerous for cultivated plants, including potatoes, so the timing of their use is limited either in early spring before planting, or in autumn after harvest.
- electoral action – These herbicides may be dangerous only for a certain family of weeds, for example, dicotyledons or grasses. Most selective herbicides can easily be converted to continuous herbicides if the concentration of the solution is increased.
Examples of the most popular drugs
If we talk about potatoes, then the time period when weeds can bring him the greatest harm is the period from the appearance of the first shoots to reaching a height of 20-30 cm, after which the root system of the potato is strengthened so much that few weeds can harm him. On the other hand, it is desirable to carry out the treatment with many drugs of continuous action in the absence of seedlings of cultivated plants in order to protect them as much as possible from the harmful effects of herbicides.
In this regard, all herbicides for potatoes are divided into two main classes:
- Pre-emergence, which are applied before planting tubers or before emergence of potato shoots.
- Post-emergence, used at the stage of the first shoots of potatoes until they reach a height of 20-25 cm.
Preparations used before germination of potatoes
Roundup The active ingredient is glyphosate. It is considered a low-toxic drug of continuous action. Destroys both aboveground and underground parts of any weeds. The results of its impact appear within 5-6 days after treatment. It is best to treat them with weeds in the active growing season.
It is advisable to treat with Roundup in autumn or spring, no later than 12-14 days before planting potatoes. The drug has the properties not to accumulate in the soil. If you guarantee its correct use, then it is safe for potato tubers.
Zencore – is a drug of continuous action with the main active ingredient – metribuzin. Works particularly well with dandelion, ragweed, quinoa and mustard. The drug does not have a harmful effect on subsequent plantings. The release form of Zenkor is granules that dissolve well in water. It can have an impact not only on plants, but also on the ground, preventing weeds from germinating. Light rains will be favorable for its action, but heavy showers can wash the drug out of the soil. It is desirable to treat with Zenkor 7-12 days before germination, but at the moment when the weeds have already appeared above the soil surface.
Boxer is a newly developed soil herbicide that is effective against annual grasses and most dicotyledonous weeds. Particularly effective in the destruction of nightshade and bedstraw.
Post-emergence herbicides
Titus – one of the most popular herbicides on potatoes, applied after shoots. In its composition, the main active ingredient is rimsulfuron. Successfully destroys all annuals and climbing perennials. It does not pose any danger to potato seedlings if the instructions for use are strictly followed, therefore it is recommended to treat the potato field when the seedlings reach a height of 5 to 18 cm. It is advisable to carry out the procedure in dry weather.
Lapis lazuli – refers to herbicides of selective action. Works particularly well on all annual weeds. Usually it is applied once a season, but if it is rainy, it is possible to re-treat after 30 days.
Features of the use of herbicides on potatoes
When thinking about which herbicide to use for your site, you need to take into account the basic rules for using such drugs on potato plantings.
When to avoid using herbicides
If potato tubers are weakened by diseases or pests, then the use of chemicals will only aggravate the situation, so herbicides are contraindicated in this case. It is also not recommended to use herbicide treatment after frost.
In addition, there are certain varieties of potatoes that are highly sensitive to chemicals. These are varieties such as: Prolisok, Svitanok Kyiv, Bagryana, Poran, Lugovskoy, Slavyanka, Call, Yavir, Virineya, Lileya, Fantasia and others. Before growing a particular variety, you should ask how it relates to chemical processing. In case of a negative reaction, it is better to refrain from using herbicides.
Herbicide Treatment Rules
Usually, plastic or glassware is used to dilute solutions (metal containers cannot be used). The solutions themselves are prepared immediately before use, since during long-term storage (more than a few days) they may lose their properties.
Before processing, you must carefully study the instructions for use. The fact is that it indicates the minimum and maximum concentration of the substance. If the treated area is characterized by heavy clay soils, then the maximum concentration can be used. The lighter the soil, the less herbicide is needed to carry out the treatment. The content of humus in the soil is also important. If the soils are sandy and contain a very small amount of humus, then the concentration of the active substance for spraying can be further reduced by 25% of the minimum amount.
The most suitable temperature conditions for the herbicide treatment procedure are between +15°C and +25°C. In hotter or colder weather, the effectiveness of drugs may decrease. Although there are preparations resistant to rain, for most of them it is desirable that the rains do not disappear earlier than 8 hours after treatment. The soil should be slightly damp. It is advisable to water the treated area no earlier than 5 days after the procedure.
A second procedure, if necessary, can be carried out no earlier than the expiration date of the drug specified in the instructions.
In order to exclude the addiction of weeds to one of the herbicides, the preparations must be changed regularly.
Results
When deciding whether to use herbicides on your potato plot, carefully weigh the pros and cons. And choose chemical treatment only if all other methods are completely ineffective.
