NEW RESEARCH IDENTIEFIES VITAL STEPS POTATO GROWERS CAN TAKE TO GET MAXIMUM DORMANCY FROM MALEIC HYDRAZIDE THIS SEASON.
MARK Stalham Potato Consultancy has conducted an extensive literature review, re-examining previously carried-out studies and initiating field trials to test previous assumptions on maleic hydrazide (MH).
CUPGRA and UPL sponsored the research, which has been conducted across the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons.
The ideal spray window begins five weeks before the onset of senescence. The uptake rate decreases significantly three weeks before the rapid phase of senescence begins, which Mark says will make getting the desired MH levels challenging.
He cautions that all of the varieties in the trials were longer-season processing varieties for McCains in groups three and four on the determinacy scale. The ideal spray window for determinate varieties probably narrows to three to four weeks before the onset of crop senescence.
Mark said that to get MH translocated into the leaf, it needs to remain in a soluble solution for as long as possible. A fine spray dries within minutes if applied at midday.
He also made some notable observations relating to tuber size and concentrations.
The July issue of British Potato Review, Mark shares his full findings and insights. You can order a free copy here if you don’t already receive one.
