Potato stores have gained a new sprout control product for
use from this autumn and through the storage season.
ARGOS® from UPL (MAPP No 19799), is a natural product containing pure, food grade orange oil with d-limonene as the active. It works in a similar way to spearmint oil, effectively burning back sprouts to give control for several weeks between applications.
Potato stores have gained a new sprout control product for use from this autumn and through the storage season.
ARGOS® from UPL (MAPP No 19799), is a natural product containing pure, food grade orange oil with d-limonene as the active. It works in a similar way to spearmint oil, effectively burning back sprouts to give control for several weeks between applications.
It can be used in boxed or bulk situations, in all varieties
for chipping, crisping and fresh markets, and is flexible for use in a
programme with other sprout suppressants such as following field applied maleic
hydrazide.
Marketing Manager, Roy Robinson, said “UPL is excited to offer the food chain this effective, sustainable, no residue product to help fill the gap left by recent outgoing chemistry. With no taint, no effect on fry colour and no long-lasting smell in store, it’s easier to handle than ethylene or mint oils and has the advantage of being more sustainable than harsher chemistries, so its kinder to the environment and better for the consumer too.”
ARGOS can also be applied up to 9 times, which will be useful for longer storage terms and can be used right up to just 48 hours before leaving storage, giving good shelf life to fresh product.
Trials and field tests at Wageningen University & Research in The Netherlands in co-operation with a number of potato food chain partners over 2 years on a wide number of varieties showed excellent control of sprouting, comparable to the previous standard CIPC.
Application
Due to its specialist application by temperature-controlled
fogging, ARGOS will be available from NAAC PHTG members directly. Applicators are specially trained and
experienced, further assuring that the product will be applied and work
properly and safely.
Nick Green Chairman of the NAAC group, which treats much of the stored potato crop in the UK says “We are looking forward to the product being launched and available for use this season - since the loss of CIPC we haven’t had much choice and all of the current options have their strengths… and weaknesses! We’ve been working closely with UPL and applicators across Europe to share best practice. It seems any teething problems have been sorted there before they happen over here. We’ve also learned a lot using the other essential oils, so we’re ready to go as soon as the product arrives.”
Registration of ARGOS (MAPP number 19799) was granted by CRD
in early October for post-harvest use on potatoes in GB and NI. For more information please contact Geoff.hailstone@upl-ltd.com.
