Farming Monthly National July 2016 | Page 23

New blight control option

Gowan Crop Protection Limited can now offer UK growers a completely new blight fungicide for the UK market , Presidium ( dimethomorph and zoxamide ).

T echnical Manager Robert Plaice reports that using a fungicide with contact , antisporulant and translaminar activity is key to success with more virulent blight . “ The UK blight population is dominated by two particularly aggressive strains - 6 _ A1 and 13 _ A2 . These strains are characterised by the ability to thrive at lower temperatures , by producing more spores from larger lesions and by cycling extremely quickly . At most stages in the blight life cycle , fungicides need to be able to control spores to stop infection . In Presidium we have two actives that tackle spores well .”

Zoxamide in Presidium acts on cell division of the fungus , preventing formation of the next nucleus , stopping germ tube elongation of spores and preventing infection . This contact action occurs as the germ tube grows along the leaf surface or down through the waxy leaf cuticle into the leaf . There is also anti-sporulant activity which delivers zoxamide ’ s activity on zoospores , the agent for tuber blight , where it inhibits spore development in the sporangia and subsequent spore release . By reducing zoospore loading in the crop early on , zoxamide will enhance the activity of other fungicides that act on motile zoospores ,” explains Rob .
“ Dimethomorph in Presidium also has fantastic anti-sporulant activity . It is also locally systemic , moving within the stem to control blight . This systemic activity helps to protect new growth in the leaves and will protect both upper and lower surfaces of leaves .”
Presidium has a Harvest Interval of 7 days .”
| Root Crops

Grimme Irrigation - A total solution

Grimme is a name that professional growers readily identify with potato and root crop machinery . Since irrigation often plays a key part in the potato year , it shouldn ’ t come as a surprise that Grimme UK has a total solution for this too .

G rimme Irrigation , available through Grimme ’ s own retail outlets in the UK , supplies literally everything a grower needs . This includes not just reels , pumps and fuel bowsers but also a complete range of fittings and accessories for Grimme and most other popular systems .

Grimme Primus and Monsun irrigator reels range in size from 90- 300m up to 125-750m and both are compatible with irrigation booms . The thickest rear support legs on the market and oversized hydraulic rams are evidence of their inherent strength although this not at the expense of precision controls for faster set up and economic water distribution .
Not to mention unique solutions to some perennial irrigator problems including automatic rain gun levelling , a layflat storage winder as standard and smooth walled drums to prevent damage to the specially designed stretch and wear resistant PE hose .
The reels , which Grimme backs with a 2 year parts warranty , are complemented by a choice of powerful but quiet pumps and fully bunded bowsers – all carrying the Grimme brand and offering the same blend of quality engineering and innovation that customers have come to expect .
However , Grimme Irrigation Centres also carry an extensive range of fittings and accessories to support not just Grimme irrigators but most other popular systems too . What ’ s more , you will find both parts specialists and service technicians keen to provide the expertise you need to keep your system up to date and performing as it should .
For more information , pick up a copy of the 2016 Grimme Irrigation Catalogue either in branch or online at www . grimme . co . uk www . farmingmonthly . co . uk July 2016 | Farming Monthly | 23