Farmco BlitzPlant Protection Product ComparisonPlant Protection Product ComparisonReport inaccuraciesReport inaccuracies

A Suspension Concentrate containing 500g/L (38.4 w/w) fluazinam.
A fungicide for the control of Foliar and Tuber Blight (Phytopia infestans) in Potatoes.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE
IMPORTANT: This information is approved as part of the Product Label. All instructions within this section must be carefully read in order to obtain safe and successful use of this product.

BACKGROUND TO POTATO BLIGHT CONTROL
Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is potentially a devastating disease of potatoes. In commercial production, a season-long disease prevention policy is essential. Use cultural control as far as possible, such as:
1. Prevent re-growth on potato dumps.
2. Use generous soil ridges to protect tubers.
Integrate this approach with a fungicide programme:
Early Crops
In first and second early potato crops, particularly those grown in the same locality as main crop potatoes, an adequate and full blight protection programme should be applied right up to harvesting or haulm desiccation. This will protect the early crop while helping to reduce disease risk to later crops.
Main Crops
Disease prevention programmes require regular and season-long fungicide use to limit foliar blight development.
However, as an effective fungicide programme will preserve leaf area there may be more risk of infecting tubers at harvest, particularly during “heavy” blight years. Completion of the control programme should therefore include a complete haulm desiccant. Lifting of the crop should not take place for at least 10 days after COMPLETE KILL of the haulm. Crops intended for storage should not be lifted while there is any green tissue AT ALL on the leaves or stem bases.
Blight Risk Assessment
The risk of disease is affected by weather conditions (during the crop life) and crop location.
Weather Conditions–Spread of disease occurs under warm, humid conditions. Irrigation in warm weather provides ideal conditions for disease spread.
Note: Blight forecasting has often been based on the occurrence of “Smith Periods”.
A “Smith Period” is a 48-hour period in which the minimum temperature is 10°C and the relative humidity exceeds 90% for at least 11 hours during the first 24 hours and for at least 11 hours again during the final 24 hours. However, any period of warm, humid weather increases blight risk.
Crop Location–Locations with the highest probability of blight problems are:
- Areas of the country where extensive main crop or early production takes place.
- Areas where climatic conditions that encourage disease development occur on a frequent basis.
Application Details
1. Application Equipment: Apply FARMCO BLITZ through tractor mounted conventional hydraulic field crop spraying equipment.
2. Sprayer Preparation: Ensure that the sprayer is clean and calibrated correctly, to give even application. Apply at the recommended water volumes using a medium quality spray.
3. Spray Pressure: at least 2 bar.
4. Mixing: Before mixing FARMCO BLITZ, first part fill the spray tank with clean water and commence agitation. Then, shake the FARMCO BLITZ container and add the required amount of product to the tank, before continuing the filling of the spray tank. Agitate thoroughly whilst filling the spray tank and throughout the spraying operation.
Do not leave the spray liquid in the sprayer for long periods (such as during meal-breaks or overnight).
Spray Timing and Intervals
1. Initial Application
FARMCO BLITZ is a protectant fungicide and therefore the spray programme must start BEFORE blight enters the crop.
Irrespective of crop growth stage, commence spraying at the first blight warning or when local weather conditions are favourable for the disease, whichever is the sooner. Otherwise, in the absence of weather conducive to disease development, the first application should be made just before foliage of adjacent plants begins to meet IN THE ROWS.
Ensure no areas of the field are left untreated.
2. Repeat Applications
Intervals between applications of FARMCO BLITZ MUST be reduced as blight risk increases, so that protection of the crop can be maintained.
“Low risk” situations–applications should to be made as a precautionary measure, before conditions conducive to blight development have occurred–APPLY AT 10 DAY INTERVALS.
“High risk” situations–following two warm, humid days or in irrigated crops–APPLY AT 7–10 DAY INTERVALS.
“Severe risk” situations–during continued warm, humid weather and when blight is in nearby crops, potato dumps or volunteer plants–APPLY AT 7 DAY INTERVALS.
NB Potato blight fungicides may not give complete protection when the disease risk is severe. However, disease development will be delayed dramatically with a well-timed spray programme. Up to ten applications of FARMCO BLITZ may be made to a crop.
Application Rate and Water Volume
Apply 400 ml/ha of FARMCO BLITZ at each treatment.

Apply FARMCO BLITZ in 200 to 500 litres of water per hectare. Use adequate water to ensure complete coverage of the foliage and stems, increasing the volume as haulm growth progresses, particularly in dense crops and under high or severe blight risk conditions.
Harvest Interval
Allow at least 7 days to elapse between the last application of FARMCO BLITZ and harvest of the crop.
Crops Grown for Processing
Consult processor before use.
Disease Resistance
Disease control may be reduced if strains of pathogen less sensitive to FARMCO BLITZ develop.