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When planting potatoes, gardeners naturally expect a good and healthy harvest. How could it be otherwise, because the hassle associated with planting, hilling, watering and pest control treatments 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, the constant enemies of any cultivated plants go into battle - weeds. Unlike their cultivated counterparts, they are content with very little, and develop quickly - which is why they quickly get ahead and drown out the timid potato shoots. 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, you may not see a harvest at all.
If you have a relatively small plot of potatoes, you can try to cope with the weed invasion on your own or using mechanical means of processing. But in large areas, herbicides are usually used.Of course, these chemicals destroy plants, but if you use them wisely and at exactly the allotted time, then there is a chance that the weeds will be killed outright, and the potatoes will ripen tasty and healthy.
What are herbicides for potatoes?
There are several classifications herbicides for weeds for potatoes. So, based on exactly how 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, so, as a rule, only the above-ground part of the weeds dies. They are usually used against annual and biennial plants, such as woodlice, shepherd's purse, and bindweed.
- Systemic - have the ability to penetrate the vascular system of plants and move freely through it. As a result, both 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 their method of application:
- Soil or pre-emergence - as the name suggests, they are applied before the emergence of seedlings or even before planting the potatoes. They are usually in the form of 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. The active substances do not move freely through the soil, so 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 at a 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 become stronger, they are able to stand up for themselves and can easily suppress most 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 harvesting.
- Selective action – these herbicides may only be harmful to a certain family of weeds, for example, dicotyledons or cereals. Most selective herbicides can easily be converted into continuous action herbicides if the concentration of the prepared solution is increased.
Examples of the most popular drugs
If we talk about potatoes, then the time period when weeds can cause the greatest harm to it 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 it. On the other hand, it is advisable to carry out treatment with many continuous-action preparations 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 potato herbicides are divided into two main classes:
- Pre-emergence, which are applied before planting tubers or before potatoes emerge.
- Post-emergence, used at the stage of first potato shoots until they reach a height of 20-25 cm.
Preparations used before potato emergence
Roundup – the active substance is glyphosate. It is considered a low-toxic, continuous action drug. 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 weeds with it during 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 the properties of not accumulating in the soil. If you ensure its correct use, it is safe for potato tubers.
Zenkor – is a continuous action drug with the main active ingredient - metribuzin. Works especially 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 effect not only on plants, but also on the ground, preventing weeds from germinating. Light rains will be favorable for its action, but heavy rains can wash the drug out of the soil. It is advisable to treat with Zenkor 7-12 days before emergence, 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 particularly effective in destroying nightshade and bedstraw.
Post-emergence herbicides
Titus - one of the most popular herbicides on potatoes, applied after germination. Its 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 selective herbicides. It has a particularly good effect on all annual weeds. It is usually applied once per season, but if the weather is rainy, it can be re-treated after 30 days.
Features of the use of herbicides on potatoes
When thinking about which herbicide to use for your plot, you need to take into account the basic rules for using such preparations 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 treatments after frost.
In addition, there are certain potato varieties that are hypersensitive to chemicals.These are varieties such as: Prolisok, Svitanok Kyiv, Bagryana, Poran, Lugovskoy, Slavyanka, Zov, Yavir, Virineya, Lileya, Fantasia and others. Before growing a particular variety, you should ask how it relates to chemical treatment. If the reaction is negative, it is better to refrain from using herbicides.
Rules for herbicide treatment
Typically, plastic or glass containers 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 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 has heavy clay soils, then the maximum concentration can be used. The lighter the soil, the less herbicide is needed for treatment. The humus content in the soil is also important. If the soils are sandy and also 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 are the range from +15°C to +25°C. In hotter or colder weather, the effectiveness of the drugs may decrease. Although there are preparations that are resistant to rain, for most of them it is desirable that rain does not occur earlier than 8 hours after treatment. The soil should be slightly moist. It is advisable to water the treated area no earlier than 5 days after the procedure.
If necessary, a repeated procedure can be carried out no earlier than the expiration date of the drug specified in the instructions.
In order to prevent weeds from becoming accustomed 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.
