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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 treating against pests is already quite enough to count on the fact that the efforts will not be wasted. But already with the onset of steadily warm weather, constant enemies of any cultivated plants go into battle - weeds... Unlike their cultivated counterparts, they are content with very little, and develop quickly - that is why they quickly get ahead and drown out timid potato shoots. In addition, they contribute to the spread of many pests and spores of fungal diseases of potatoes, therefore, it is undesirable to allow their rapid development - in this case, the harvest may not be seen at all.
If you have a relatively small area of potatoes, then you can try to cope with the invasion of weeds on your own or using mechanical processing. But over large areas, herbicides are usually used. Of course, these chemicals destroy plants, but if you use them wisely and in the exact time allotted for this, then there is a chance that the weeds will be killed on the spot, and the potatoes will ripen tasty and healthy.
What are potato herbicides
There are several classifications weed killers 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 perishes. They are usually used against annuals and biennials such as wood lice, shepherd's purse, bindweed.
- Systemic - have the ability to penetrate into the vascular system of plants and move freely along 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 suggests, they are applied before emergence or even before potatoes are planted. Usually they are granules, which are introduced into the soil to a depth of about 5-10 cm. These preparations 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 from weeds.
- Leafy, they are also called postemergence. 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 at the time when it is still difficult for young potato plants to resist the rapid development of weeds. Most often 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 very dangerous for cultivated plants, including potatoes, so the terms of their use are limited either in early spring before planting, or in autumn after harvest.
- Selective action - these herbicides can only be dangerous for a certain family of weeds, for example, for dicotyledonous or for cereals. Most of the selective herbicides can easily turn into continuous-action preparations if the concentration of the prepared solution is increased.
Examples of the most popular drugs
If we talk about potatoes, then the time interval when weeds are able to 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 potato root system is strengthened so that few weeds can harm it. On the other hand, it is desirable to carry out treatment with many continuous-action preparations in the absence of seedlings of cultivated plants in order to maximally protect them from the harmful effects of herbicides.
In this regard, all potato herbicides are divided into two main classes:
- Pre-emergence, which are applied before planting tubers or before emergence of potatoes.
- Postemergence, used at the stage of the first shoots of potatoes until they reach a height of 20-25 cm.
Preparations used before potato germination
Roundup - the active substance 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 influence are manifested within 5-6 days after treatment. It is best to treat weeds with it in the active growing season.
It is advisable to carry out Roundup treatment in autumn or spring, no later than 12-14 days before planting potatoes. The drug has properties not to accumulate in the soil. If used correctly, it is safe for potato tubers.
Zenkor - is a continuous action drug with the main active ingredient - metribuzin. It copes especially well with dandelion, ragweed, quinoa and mustard. The drug has no harmful effect on subsequent plantings. Zenkora's release form is granules that dissolve well in water. It can have an effect not only on plants, but also on the ground, preventing weeds from germinating. Light rains will be beneficial for its action, but heavy showers can wash the drug out of the soil. It is advisable to treat with Zencor 7-12 days before the emergence of shoots, 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. It is especially effective in the destruction of nightshade and bedstraw.
Postemergence herbicides
Titus Is one of the most popular potato herbicides used after germination. In its composition, the main active ingredient is rimsulfuron. It successfully destroys all annuals and climbing perennials. It does not pose any danger to potato seedlings, if you strictly follow the instructions for use, therefore it is recommended to process 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 selective herbicides. It works especially well on all annual weeds. Usually it is used once a season, but if it is rainy weather, then it is possible to re-process it 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 preparations on potato plantings.
When to refrain from using herbicides
If potato tubers are weakened by diseases or pests, then the use of chemicals will only aggravate the situation, therefore herbicides in this case are contraindicated. 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 such varieties as: Prolisok, Svitanok Kievsky, Bagryana, Poran, Lugovskoy, Slavyanka, Call, Yavir, Virineya, Lileya, Fantasy 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 glass dishes are used to dilute solutions (metal containers cannot be used). The solutions themselves are prepared immediately before use, since during long-term storage (more than several days) they can 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 a substance. If the cultivated 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 even 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 carrying out the herbicide treatment procedure is the range from + 15 ° C to + 25 ° C. In hotter or colder weather, the effectiveness of drugs may decrease. Although there are rain resistant formulations, for most of them it is desirable that the rains do not fall until 8 hours after treatment. At the same time, the soil should be slightly moist. It is advisable to water the treated area no earlier than 5 days after the procedure.
A repeated procedure, if necessary, can be carried out no earlier than the expiry date of the drug indicated in the instructions.
In order to exclude the addiction of weeds to one of the herbicides, the preparations must be changed regularly.
Outcomes
When deciding to use herbicides on your potato site, carefully weigh the pros and cons. And choose chemical treatment only if all other methods are completely ineffective.
