Npg140204

Crop Protection Solutions

2014 FUNGICIDES

I

INSECTICIDES

I

HERBICIDES

I

SEED PIECE TREATMENTS

Quadris Top protects your crop from disease for improved plant performance.

Two powerful active ingredients with different modes of action for effective resistance management. Quadris Top® fungicide provides protection for your crop with two active ingredients that work together to more effectively protect against disease for improved plant performance.

Visit SyngentaFarm.ca or contact our Customer Resource Centre at 1-87-SYNGENTA (1-877-964-3682).

Always read and follow label directions. Quadris Top®, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2014 Syngenta.

6644_1F_SP-Quadris Top Print Ad_NatPotatoGuide8.125x10.75_ENG.indd 1

1/7/14 12:16 PM

New products for potatoes in 2014

BY GUY ROY, CONTRIBUTOR

Luna Tranquility For the 2014 season, Bayer CropScience has introduced Luna Tranquility, a fungicide combining fluopyram (Group 7 fungicide) and pyrimethanil (Group 9 fungicide), for the control of early blight.

Bayer says this fungicide combination should greatly reduce resistance problems. In addition to early blight (Alternaria solani), Luna Tranquility will provide excellent protection against brown leaf spot (Alternaria alternata) and white mould (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). This new fungicide also appears to have a suppression effect on black dot (Colletotrichum coccodes).

As with most pesticides, it is strongly recommended to use Luna Tranquility as a preventive approach.

According to agronomist Lindsay Fletcher, who performed part of the registration trials on Luna Tranquility for Alberta’s Crop Protection Services, this combination of active ingredients should allow unrivalled control of the fungi from the genus Alternaria. Fletcher says that Luna Tranquility’s unique chemistry will bring to potato growers an efficient tool against problems associated with resistance. bayercropscience.ca

Serenade SOIL In the summer of 2012, Bayer purchased AgraQuest, a California company specializing in biopesticides, for close to US$500 million. With this acquisition, Bayer aimed at implementing a technological platform dedicated to organic products, among which is Serenade SOIL, and wanted to reinforce its position in the fruit and vegetable production market.

POTATO GUIDE 2014

Serenade SOIL, registered in Canada since May 2013, will be available in 2014 for the control of potato diseases such as rhizoctonia canker (black scurf and stem and stolon canker), caused by Rhizoctonia solani, pink rot (Phytophthora erythroseptica), seed-piece decay and leak (Pythium spp.), and different fusarium rots (Fusarium spp.).

When applied in-furrow at planting, Serenade SOIL (a Group 44 fungicide) will provide protection in the soil area surrounding the potato seed piece, acting as a shield around the potato roots.

This fungicide is composed of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis and should become particularly popular among organic potato growers and those willing to prevent the resistance problems due to the repeated use of pesticides from the same chemical groups. bayercropscience.ca

Reason 500 SC Last December, Bayer CropScience announced an addition to the label of Reason 500 SC. It is now also registered for application on potato seed pieces for the control of the late blight fungus (Phytophthora infestans). This fungicide, whose active ingredient is fenamidone (Group 11), is already known by most potato growers who spray it during the growing season for the control of early blight (Alternaria solani) and late blight (Phytophthora infestans).

As with all seed treatments, uniform coverage of the potato seed pieces with the fungicide is essential for the efficacy of the treatment.

Reason 500 SC can be mixed at the rate of 10 ml/100 kg, with Titan insecticide and Emesto Sylver fungicide during seed treatment. bayercropscience.ca

Verimark and Exirel For the last few years, we have been talking about the coming of new cyazypyr-based insecticides from Dupont Canada. Finally, in August 2013, two new cyazypyr insecticides were registered in Canada — Verimark and Exirel. The active ingredient of both belongs to Group 28 (the same group as Coragen).

Verimark is composed of the active ingredient cyantraniliprole. It was registered for the control of Colorado potato beetles and potato flea beetles. It is specifically formulated for in-furrow application or as a potato seed piece treatment.

Exirel is also composed of cyantraniliprole. It was registered for the control of Colorado potato beetles and of larvae from many lepidopterous insects. Contrarily to its “little brother,” Exirel was formulated only for ground or aerial spraying.

Applications of Exirel must be carried out with a minimal spray volume of 100 L/ha for ground spraying, or a minimal volume of 50 L/ha for aerial spraying.

Cyazypyr-based products have an excellent environmental and toxicological profile, since they specifically target undesirable insects without necessarily killing beneficial insects like the predatory arthropods feeding on aphids.

These products will also show an excellent persistence in the plant, due to their strong systemic movement. dupont.ca/ag 03

Heads Up Potato rhizoctonia (black scurf, and stolon and stem canker), is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, a fungus almost ubiquitous in soils suitable for potato production in Quebec and Ontario. It survives in the soil, in plant debris and in the form of small, hard, black masses (sclerotia) at the surface of tubers. The disease is particularly severe in cold, moist soils, and affects the potato plants at any of their growth stages. Sprouts can be destroyed or weakened, which results in plant misses (gaps), delayed emergence, or weak or stunted plants from which arise numerous stems.

Depending on the growth stage of the potato plant at which rhizoctonia strikes, one can notice stunting or delayed maturing of plants, as well as upward curling or some reddening of upper leaves.

Aerial tubers can sometime develop. Reddish-brown lesions can often be seen on the underground part of stems and on stolons. Severely infected plants may produce small and misshapen tubers. Near the end of the growing season, a greyish-white powdery film can often appear at the base of the stems, just above the ground. Rhizoctonia is a disease much too often underestimated which definitely affects yield and the quality of the potato harvest.

Heads Up is a new product designed for potato seed piece treatment that can be part of a general disease control program, and more specifically against rhizoctonia (black scurf and stolon and stem canker) caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. This crop protectant comes from a plant source — it is an extract of a substance called saponin, more precisely, saponin from the plant that gives us quinoa grain (Chenopodium quinoa).

Heads Up acts as an elicitor inside the potato plant. An elicitor is a molecule produced by a pathogen or pest that stimulates production of phytoalexins (plant antibiotics) by the infected plant, or, by extension, an elicitor is any molecule-triggering defence mechanism and substance within the plant. Saponin does that without harming the plant.

More research is focusing on this kind of mechanism for the control of plant pests. Heads Up is another useful tool for the control of potato rhizoctonia canker (black surf and stem and stolon canker). engageagro.com

Minecto Duo Syngenta has introduced Minecto Duo, a new solution for potato growers who prefer to apply their early-season insecticide in the furrow.

It was registered last November. Minecto Duo contains thiamethoxam (insecticide from Group 4 — neonicotinoids) and cyantraniliprole (insecticide from Group 28 — agonist for the ryanodine receptor). This insecticide protects the plant from its emergence until adult stage, later in the season, by means of these two active ingredients working together for long-lasting control of Colorado potato beetles, potato aphids, flea beetles and leafhoppers. Moreover, the novelty of one of the two active ingredients of Minecto Duo is the guarantee of longer protection against resistance development in Colorado potato beetles.

04

POTATO GUIDE 2014

As is mentioned on the label and for most pesticides, the use of Minecto Duo must be part of an integrated pest management program including field inspections, record-keeping, and possibly cultural, organic or other forms of chemical pest control practices. syngenta.com

Stadium In September 2013, Syngenta introduced Stadium, a post-harvest fungicide to be applied immediately before storing potatoes.

Application will help protect potato tubers against diseases spreading in the storage facility. Stadium provides protection against fusarium dry rot and controls the spread of silver scurf caused by the fungus Helminthosporium solani. Stadium contains three fungicide active ingredients with as many different modes of action. Azoxystrobin is a strobilurin belonging to Group 11, fludioxonil is a phenylpyrrole from Group 12 and difenoconazole is a fungicide from the triazole family, belonging to Group 3.

It is to be noted that Stadium is not recommended on tubers intended for potato seed production. syngenta.com

Boundary LQD Syngenta says Boundary LQD is a new solution for pre-emergent weed control. This herbicide comprises a combination of S-metolachlor (a Group 15 herbicide — chloroacetamids) and metribuzin (Group 5 herbicide — triazinones). Boundary LQD offers excellent residual control of grass weeds like barnyard grass, crabgrass (smooth and hairy), foxtails (green, yellow and giant), and witch grass and fall panicum. The two modes of action also provide excellent control on some broadleaf weeds.

As is the case for all new herbicide combinations, the manufacturer suggests to first confirm the tolerance of the potato variety before treating the whole field. It is not recommended to use Boundary LQD on potato varieties Belleisle, Tobique or Superior. syngenta.com

Maxim D While it was introduced last season inside the Cruiser Maxx D Potato “combo,” the potato seed treatment Maxim D will be available this year in an individual, separate format. This premix includes fludioxonil (Group 12 fungicide — phenylpyrroles) and difenoconazole (Group 3 fungicide — triazoles). Maxim D is registered for use against soilborne diseases, including black scurf and stolon and stem canker (Rhizoctonia solani), silver scurf and diseases caused by different fusarium species (including strains resistant to thiophanate-methyl and fludioxonil).

Syngenta recommends to use Maxim D in combination with Actara insecticide on the potato seed piece, or with a subsequent in-furrow application of Actara or Minecto Duo insecticides. syngenta.com Potato Guide 2014

05

Aim EC

x

Chateau WDG

14

x

Des-I-Cate2

16

Dual II Magnum3

15 15 + 7 8

Canada thistle

Perennial sow-thistle

Quackgrass

Yellow nutsedge

Common ragweed

Pigweeds

Mustard

Lamb’s quarter

Polygonum

Foxtail

Proso millet

Fall panicum

Witchgrass

Wild oats

Barnyard grass

Before harvest2

Post-emergence

Crab grass

E

P

E

P

P

P

P

P

–

–

E

–

–

–

–

–

P

P

M

–

E

–

E

E

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

x

E

E

P

E

E

P

E

P

–

P

M

P

E

P

P

P

x

E

E

P

E

E

P

E

E

E

P

E

G

M

P

P

P

E

E

E

E

E

–

E

M

M

P

E

M

E

G

P

P

x

Poast Ultra

1

x

Prism

2

x

Reglone2

22

Glyphosate (several formulations)

9

Select / Arrow 240 EC / Centurion

1

x x

x

x x

x x

x x

5+7

x

5

x

7 + 15

x

1

P –

–

7

Venture L3

P E

P

10

5+8

P P

–

Lorox L3 / Linuron 400 L3

5 + 22

P E

P

Ignite SN3

Sencor + Gramoxone

P E

–

1

Sencor + Eptam

P P

P

22

Sencor + Dual II Magnum

P E –

Gramoxone3

Sencor3

P E P

Excel Super

Sencor + Linuron

PERENNIAL

–

x x

ANNUAL BROADLEAF WEEDS

ANNUAL GRASSES

x

15 + 5

Eptam 8E3

Early post-emergence

14

Boundary LQD

Dual Magnum + Lorox

Pre-emergence (cracked soil)

Pre-emergence

Preplant

COMMERCIAL NAME

APPLICATION TIME

Group1

HERBICIDES

x

x

x x x

E

E

P

E

E

E

E

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

G

G

G

G

G

–

G

M

G

G

G

G

–

G

M

P –

E

E

E

E

E

–

E

E

E

E

E

E

–

–

–

M

M

P

P

M

P

M

E

E

P

G

G

P

P

P

P

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

P

P

P

P

P

P

M

P

P

P

E

P

E

E

P

E

–

M

G

E

P

–

G

–

–

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

P

P

M

P

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

P

P

P

P

P

P

E

P

P –

G

G

–

G

G

–

G

E

E

E

E

E

P

P

P

G

G

–

G

G

–

G

E

E

E

E

E

P

P

P

P

E

E

E

E

E

–

E

E

E

E

E

E

M

P

P

–

M

E

E

E

M

–

E

G

E

E

E

E

M

P

P

P

G

G

G

G

G

–

G

E

E

E

E

E

–

G

M

–

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

P

P

P

P

P

P

E

P

P

Rating*: E = Excellent G = Good M = Medium P = Poor – = Insufficient data *The effectiveness of herbicide treatments may vary with the time of application and the rate used.

1. Group: Products belonging to the same group have a similar mechanism of action. To prevent resistance to a product, repeated applications of products from the same group must be avoided.

2. Before harvest : These products are used as vine killers before harvest.

06

3. Combinations with other herbicides are also registered. Application guidelines with other products may vary from one province to another. Make sure to always consult the label before use.

POTATO GUIDE 2014

Diseases2

x

imidacloprid

4

x

Clutch 50 WDG / Chlothianidin (in-furrow)

chlothianidin

4A

x

Cruiser Maxx D Potatoes

fludioxonil + difenoconazole + thiamethoxam

Genesis 240

imidacloprid

Genesis XT

mancozeb + tiophanate-methyl + imidacloprid

Genesis MZ

Imidacloprid + mancozeb

Grapple / Grapple 2

imidacloprid

Heads Up

Saponines de Chenopodium quinoa

MancoPlus

mancozeb

M

x

Maxim D

fludioxonil + difenoconazole

12 + 3

x

x

x

Maxim MZ PSP

fludioxonil + mancozeb

12 + M

x

x

x

Minecto Duo (in-furrow)

thiamethoxam + cyantraniliprole

4 + 28

Penncozeb 80 WP

mancozeb 80%

M

x

Polyram 16D

metirane

M

x

Potato ST16 / Tuberseal

mancozeb

M

x

Reason 500 SC

fenamidone

11

Senator PSPT

thiophanate-methyl

1

x

Serenade SOIL (in-furrow)

Bacillus subtilis

44

x

Solan MX

mancozeb

M

x

Titan ST + Emesto Silver

chlothianidin + penflufen + prothioconazole

4+7+3

x

Verimark (in-furrow and on seed pieces)

cyantraniliprole

1. Group: Classification of fungicides according to their mode or action. Products belonging to the same group have a similar mode of action.

Potato Guide 2014

12 + 3 + 4

x

x

x

4 M + 1 (4)

x

M (4)

x

x

4 NA

28

Flea beetle

x

Alias 240 SC (in-furrow and on seed pieces)

Wireworm

Leafhopper

x

Verticillium wilt

x

Common scab

x

x

Silver scurf

x

x

Rhizoctonia canker (black scurf)

x

4

Late blight

4

thiamethoxam

Pink rot

imidacloprid

Actara 240 SC (in-furrow and on seed pieces)

Fusarium rot

Common name (active ingredient)

Admire 240 (in-furrow and on seed pieces)

Group1

Commercial name

Aphids

Insects

Colorado potato beetle

Seed piece decay and leak (Pythium spp.)

Seed Piece treatments

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x x x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x x

2. Diseases / Insects: The treatment product is registered for control or suppression of the corresponding diseases in the table.

07

Stadium (post-harvest) Tanos 50 DF Tattoo C

phosphorous acid tribasic copper copper oxychloride cymoxanil + mancozeb cyazofamid mancozeb fluoxastrobin zoxamid + mancozeb pyraclostrobin difenoconazole copper hydroxide fluopyram + pyrimethanil metconazole phosphorous acid metiram fluopicolid

x

x x

x

33

CS

M M 27 + M 21 M 11 22 + M 11 3

C C PND EC C PND EC PND PAD

x x

M

C

x

7+9 3 33 M

PND PAD CS C

x x

43

azoxystrobin 11 azoxystrobin + difenoconazole 11 + 3 metconazole 3 cyazofamid 21 fenamidone 11 mandipropamid 40 metalaxyl-m + chlorothalonil 4+M metalaxyl-m + mancozeb 4+M pyrimethanil 9 Bacillus subtilis M azoxystrobin + fludioxonil + 11 + 12 + 3 difenoconazole famoxadone + cymoxanil 11 + 27 propamocard HCL + 28 + M chlorothalonil

x x x x

x

cyazofamid

21

EC

Vertisan

penthiopyrade

7

PND

Zampro SC

ametoctradin + dimethomorph

40 + 45

PAD

(Helminthosporium solani)

Silver scurf

(Alternaria alternata)

Brown leaf spot

(Colletotrichum coccodes)

Black dot

(Rhizoctonia spp.)

Rhizoctonia canker

(Phytophthora infestans)

Late blight on tubers

(Botrytis cinerea)

Grey mould

x

x x x x x x x x

x8

x

x

x x

x x

x

x

x

x x x x x x x x x

x

x x x x x

x6

x6

x x

x

x x

x x

x

x

x

12

1

3

7-14

48

4

3

5-10

24 12

14 4

10 3

7-10 7-10

48

1

–

7-10

24 12

3 30

3 4

7-14 14

4

1

5

14

48 24 24 12 24 12 48 12 24

1 1 8 7 1 7 3 3 14

10 10 7 6 – 3 6 3 4

5 7-10 5-7 7 5-10 7 7 7-14 –

48

1

10

7-10

12 12 12 24

7 1 0 1

5 3 7 –

7-14 7-10 7-14 7-10

48

7

4

7-10

12 24 12 12 48 12 48 48 24 4

1-906 14 1 7 14 14 14 3 7 0

3 3 3 6 6 4 3 3 6 –

7-14 7-14 7-10 7 7-10 7-14 14 10-14 7-14 7-10

–

–

–

–

x

24

14

6

7

x

48

7

6

5-7

12

7

6

7

12

7

3

7-14

12

4

3

5-10

x x

x x

x

***Mode of action of main active ingredient: C = Contact EC = Elaborated contact (anti-sporulating action) PND = Penetrating: non-diffusing or translaminar 1. Group : Classification of insecticides according to their mode of action. Products from the same group have a similar mode of action. To prevent the resistance, repeated applications of products from the same group must be avoided.

2. Diseases: Each of these fungicides is registered for control of suppression of the corresponding diseases.

3. Delay before harvest (days): The number of days between the last application of the fungicide and the harvest.

x6

x

x x

PAD

Torrent 400 SC

(Fusarium spp.)

x

– PND

Fusarium rot

x

x

PAD PND PND PAD EC PND PND CS CS PND C

x

Interval between applications (days) 5

x

x

Maximum # of applications4

C PND PND

(Pythium spp.)

Late blight

M 11 + M 7

erythroseptica)

x x

Seed piece decay, leak

EC PND

Pink rot (Phytophthora

29 45

(Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)

x

x

White mould

PAD

(Phytophthora infestans)

40 + M

x

Delay before harvest (days) 3

pyraclostrobin + metiram boscalid

PND

RESTRICTIONS

Security delay (hours)7

chlorothalonil

11

(Alternaria solani)

ACTIVE INGREDIENT azoxystrobin dimethomorph (+ chlorotalonil or mancozeb or metiram) fluazinam ametotradin

Early blight

COMMERCIAL NAME Abound / Azoxy Acrobat 50 WP (+ Bravo or Dithane DG or Polyram DF) Allegro 500F BAS 650 00 F Bravo 500 / Bravo Zn / Echo 90 DF / Echo720 Cabrio Plus Cantus Confine Extra / Winfield Phosphite Extra Copper 53 W Copper Spray Curzate (+ Manzate or Dithane) Cyazofamid 400 SC Dithane / Manzate / Penncozeb Evito 480 SC Gavel 75 DF Headline EC Inspire Kocide 101 / 1000 / 2000 / Parasol FL / WP Luna Tranquility Metconazole 50 WDG Phostrol Polyram DF Presidio / Fluopicolide 4 SC (+ Bravo) Quadris F Quadris Top Quash Ranman 400 SC Reason (+ Bravo or Dithane DG) Revus Ridomil Gold / Bravo Duo Ridomil Gold MZ Scala SC (+ Bravo) Serenade ASO / MAX

Mode of action of main active ingredient***

DISEASES2

Group1

FUNGICIDES

x6 x

PAD = Penetrating with ascending diffusion

CS = Completely systemic

4. Maximum # of applications: The maximum number of fungicide applications per season, if specified on the label.

5. Interval between applications (days): The maximum and minimum number of days between two consecutive applications of the same product.

6. When fungicide is used in furrow.

7. Security delay (hours): Delay (hours) before going in the treated zone.

8. Post-harvest application.

Some fungicide combinations are approved by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Application guidelines may vary from one province to another.

Make sure to always read guidelines before using any fungicide.

08

POTATO GUIDE 2014

Delay before harvest (days)5

Security delay after treatment (hours)6

Maximum # of applications 7

x

x

7

12

2

x8

x

x

7

24

2

x

x

7

12

2

NC

x

14

12

10

9C

x

7

12

3

14

12

3

Commercial Name1

Active ingredient

Actara 240 SC / 25 WG

thiamethoxam

4

Admire 240 / Alias 240 SC

imidaclopride

4

Assail 70 WP

acetamipridre

4

Bartlett Superior 70 oil / Superior 70 oil

mineral oil

Beleaf 50SG

flonicamid

Clutch 50 WDG / Clothianidin

chlothianidin

4A

Closer SC

sulfoxaflor

Concept

imidacloprid + deltamethrin

Coragen

chlorantraniliprole

28

Cygon 480 EC / Lagon 480 E

dimethoate

1B

Cygon 480 AG / Cygon 480

dimethoate

1B

Decis 5.0 EC

deltamethrin

3

Delegate

spinetorame

5

Diazinon / Diazol

diazinon

Dibrom Exirel

x

x

x

x

x

x

4C 3+4

x x

x x x x

1B

x

x

x

naled

1B

x

x

x

cyantraniliprole

28

x

pymetrozin

9B

carbofuran

1A

Grapple / Grapple 2

imidaclopride

4

Superior 70 oil

mineral oil

NA

Imidan 50 W / Imidan 70 WP

phosmet

1B

x

x

Lannate

methomyl

1A

x

x

Lorsban / Warhawk 480 EC / Nufos 4E

chlorpyrifos

1B

x

Malathion / Fyfanon 50 EC

malathion

1B

Matador / Warrior / Silencer 120 EC

lambda-cyhalothrine

3

Movento 240 SC / 150 OD

spirotetramat

23

Novodor

Bacillus thuringiensis

11C

Orthene

acephate

1B

Pyrifos 15 G

chlorpyrifos

1B

Pyrinex 480E / Chlorpyrifos 480 EC

chlorpyrifos

1B

x x

permethrin

3

Pro Malathion 50 EC

malathion

1B

Ripcord

cypermethrin

3

Rimon

novaluron

15

x

x

x

Fulfill 50 WG

x

x

x

12

4

36

3

7

36

3

x

1

12

3

x

x

x x

x

x

x

x x

x x

x

x

x

x

4

14

12

2

7

48

2 2 10

x

7

120

5

x x x

x

x

x x

2

12

12

x x

48

7

24

x

x

4

7

x x

3 –

14

x x

12 24

x

x

x

7 14

x9

x x

2 3

7

x x

12 24

24

x x

7 7

x

x

x

Furadan

x

x

x

Pounce /Ambush 500 EC / Perm-Up

Wireworm

Aphids 4

Tarnished plant bug

Colorado potato beetle

x x8

Group 2

Potato leafhopper

Other lepidopterous insects

Restrictions

Flea beetle

European corn borer

Insects 3

Insecticides

x x

x

x x

x

x

3

12

1

7

24

1

3

24

1

7

24

3

7

12

2

0

4

–

21

24

4

70

24

1

7

24

1

1

24

1

3

24

1

7

24

3

14

12

2 –

Sevin 50 W / 5-D / XLR / XLR Plus

carbaryl

1A

x

x

x

7

24

Sevin SL

carbaryl

1A

x

x

x

7

24

–

Success 480 EC / Entrust

spinosad

5

x

x

7

12

1-3

Surround WP

kaolin

NA

0

0

–

Thimet 15-G

phorate

1B

90

48

1

x x

Up-Cyde 2,5 EC

cypermethrin

3

x

x

x

Vydate

oxamyl

1A

x

x

x

1. Commercial Name : Many brands and/or formulations with the same active ingredient may be available.

2. Group : Classification of insecticides according to their mode of action. Products from the same group have a similar mode of action. To prevent resistance to a product, repeated applications of products from the same group must be avoided.

3. Insect controlled : The insects for which a product is registered, as stated on the label. These insects may vary depending on the brand and the active ingredient. Check the label to make sure the insect is included on the list.

4. Aphid : Many species of aphids can attack potatoes. For more information about the species of aphids that are controlled, check the label.

Potato Guide 2014

x

x

7

12

3

x

7

72

2

5. Delay before harvest (days): The number of days that must elapse between the last insecticide application and the harvest.

6. Security delay after treatment (hours): The period to respect between the application and the time when workers can return to the field.

7. Maximum # of applications: The number of times the insecticide can be applied as mentioned on the label. It is for the number of land applications; verify for aerial applications. Empty spaces mean that there is no restriction on the label.

8. When the insecticide is applied in the furrow.

9. This product has a repulsion action toward the insect.

09

Wild varieties A set of wild South American potato varieties with Colorado potato beetle resistance have donated genetic material to their North American cousins

BY JULIENNE ISAACS

When European explorers to South America first brought potatoes back to their home countries, it was a select few varieties they chose: those that could grow under longer day lengths. Most of the varieties at the Equator tuberize under short day lengths and can’t grow in the global North.

As a result, the potatoes we cultivate today are genetically narrow, according to Helen Tai, a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Fredericton-based Potato Research Centre.

But our North American potato varieties’ cousins in Peru, Chile and Bolivia have a wide variety of desirable traits, such as resistance to diseases and drought tolerance.

In the 1990s, Yvan Pelletier, an entomologist with AAFC, along with a group of potato researchers and breeders, imported a set of wild South American species kept at the United States Department of Agriculture’s potato germplasm bank at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Their goal was to begin a breeding project that would result in higher Colorado potato beetle resistance in local varieties.

“We looked at the database on wild Solanum species that have been tested for various traits, picked six or seven and brought the species in and looked at them in terms of their resistance to Colorado potato beetle in New Brunswick in the field,” says Pelletier, now retired. “We asked the breeders — ‘Can you work with them?’ The answer was ‘Yes, but it’s extremely difficult.’ So we looked again and brought in another six or seven species that would be easier to cross with Solanum tuberosum.”

Wild species are not easy to cross with cultivated varieties, partly because the 10

potatoes grown commercially here have four copies of the genome (tetraploid), while many wild species have two copies (diploid).

“Some wild species will combine naturally with potato, some won’t,” says Tai. “The seed ball is the result of fertilization between two plants and the seeds are where you get the new genetic combinations. We call this an intercross, and the [resulting] plant is called an interspecific hybrid.”

Of the wild species, a few stood out to the researchers, including S. oplocense, a variety

that could cross and make seeds with the S. tuberosum, and which also exhibited disease resistance.

Pelletier, as the entomologist on the team, was concerned mainly with S. oplocense’s degree of resistance to pests. “I was concerned with how resistant the plants were and why they were resistant. S. oplocense had effects on both the adults and the larvae,” he says.

Overcoming the problem of day lengths was the first step for Pelletier, and he worked with David De Koeyer, a geneticist at AAFC, to

S. oplocense F1 hybrids in the field. ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF DR. YVAN PELLETIER. POTATO GUIDE 2014

S. tarijense F1 hybrids beside a normal cultivated potato (S. tuberosum). accomplish this by crossing S. oplocense with varieties adapted to long day length conditions.

“They took only a few crosses with S. oplocense to get there,” says Pelletier.

Once the day lengths issue was dealt with through breeding, researchers were able to focus on other qualities, such as size, colour, shape and eyes, in order to achieve marketable varieties.

According to Tai, this selective breeding is a complex process. “Once they combine the wild species through an interspecific cross and get progeny, the progeny is then backcrossed to different varieties of potato,” she says. “De Koeyer has done that in four generations just to get rid of the traits from S. oplocense that are undesirable.”

Positive traits Once negative traits are removed, breeders can focus on which traits they wish to include in new germplasm.

Tai and De Koeyer, along with Benoit Bizimungu and Agnes Murphy, the potato breeders involved in the project through Potato Guide 2014

AAFC’s Potato Research Centre, are focused on working with S. oplocense and other varieties to incorporate a selection of traits that are desirable to Canada’s major players.

S. oplocense’s resistance to CPB makes it a highly promising prospect. According to Pelletier, the wild varieties of potato resist colonization

by CPB adults and larvae through the release of chemical signals. Some of the varieties release this chemical as a gas, and the beetle reacts to the smell. In S. oplocense the beetle reacts to the taste of the plant which, while repellent to the beetle, is non-toxic, according to Pelletier. “If the chemical is not toxic, it’s more difficult for the beetle to change their behaviour. That gave us an indication of how long the resistance will last,” he says.

The wild species are remarkable for their extremely low feeding rates in the field, says Tai. Her work has involved conducting chemical analyses to study the mode of action by which the plants resist CPB. “We have discovered characteristics of the leaf that the beetle dislikes in the wild species, so now we are selecting plants that produce that chemical (a metabolite) as a way to ward off the beetle,” she explains. “We are also looking for the

Field evaluation of S. oplocense material.

One plant per clone is used. Note the difference in defoliation. genes that control production of the chemical to develop a genetic marker.”

A goal for potato breeding is to introduce disease and pest resistance in new varieties while maintaining yields, agronomic and processing traits to industry standards.

“Breeders try to combine resistance traits at the same time as meeting the needs of the market, and to make that easier we’re developing a system of markers to select the traits,” says Tai. “The goal is to find a potato that can produce marketable yields under disease and pest pressure.”

Chip and fry processors have highly specific requirements for processing potatoes, which makes development of new varieties for these markets an even greater challenge. “All kinds of criteria have to be met first, so we’re in early stages with this germplasm,” says Tai. While there are no offerings yet for S. oplocense, the team has crossed materials into table market potatoes, as the table market has fewer restrictions than processors in terms of dry matter, size and uniformity. The first introductions will be for the table market, with processing varieties hopefully following within the near future.

11

Live: 7”

Live: 10”

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Insecticide

Genetic sequencing technologies open doors for potato breeders Next-generation technologies have ushered in a new era of potato breeding, allowing researchers to select key traits with a high degree of efficiency

BY JULIENNE ISAACS

Bleed: 11.25”

Live: 10”

Trim: 10.75”

The potato genome is a medium-size plant genome, consisting of 12 chromosomes with a haploid length of about 840 million base pairs.

In 2011, it was successfully sequenced through the efforts of the Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC), an initiative of the Netherlands Genomics Initiative and Wageningen University and Research Centre that combined the efforts of 16 different national research groups around the world.

While in the early 2000s Canada had a role in contributing short sequences and laying some of the groundwork for the genome project, it was not part of the PGSC. But armed with the completed potato genome, Canadian researchers have been doing groundbreaking work in potato breeding using next-generation genetic sequencing technologies.

At Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Fredericton-based Potato Research Centre, research scientist Helen Tai, along with leading potato geneticist David De Koeyer, work to identify key genes in potato that will contribute genetic markers to potato breeding projects.

According to Tai, the cost of genetic sequencing has dropped dramatically in 20 years.

“The cost of sequencing was a billion dollars in the past and you can now pay for it on a Visa card,” she says.

Until recently, geneticists had relied on dideoxy DNA sequencing technology, developed

by Nobel laureate Frederic Sanger in the 1970s.

POTATO GUIDE 2014

In the last several years, next-generation technologies have developed that speed up the process of large-scale genome analysis — and cost much less. Combined with innovations in computer software, sequencing technologies offer researchers much more efficient routes to improved potato germplasm.

“When the cost drops you can see how using DNA markers in breeding can become more commonplace,” says Tai. “So what we’re doing is genetic testing of our individual breeding lines. Another shift in the way we do things is that we will sequence whole genomes and use computers to help us figure out where there are important genes.

“I make an analogy to online dating where a computer algorithm is used to find the best match between individuals — we’re doing this in potatoes,” says Tai.

Marked advantage With the potato genome sequenced, researchers have the ability to locate each of the potato’s genes, or DNA sequences, and “mark” them.

DNA sequences demonstrate each variety’s differences, their individual variations, from other varieties. Researchers can now more easily find those genetic markers that express disease resistance or other traits — positive or negative — in potato varieties.

One of the positive results to come out of the

DNA sequencing technology is positive selection markers, says Tai. “There are some we’re using already — for resistance to potato cyst nematode and late blight. We’re integrating these into our breeding,” she says. “What’s exciting for us is to bring the cycle of breeding from 10-15 years down to five years. We’re trying to reach better potato varieties faster.”

This has the positive corollary of making breeding more responsive to the markets, so that breeders can focus their efforts on particular areas of disease resistance when pest cycles change, for example. Some years, Colorado potato beetle is less of a concern than in others, and potato cyst nematode is more important. Next-generation sequencing technology allows breeders to develop varieties that respond in a highly practical way to growers’ dominant concerns.

“We want to be responsive to the market and take advantage of those opportunities, and support the industry where it needs new traits,” says Tai. Other emerging markets for potatoes, which involve their application in bioplastics or pharmaceutical products, or alternative food uses, also demand certain traits in potato, and with a faster “turnaround” for new potato varieties, breeders can take those new market demands into consideration as well.

13

Priorities While there are plenty of potential applications for potatoes that demand certain sets of traits, Tai says there are priorities in potato breeding.

First, potato breeders operate under some scientific restrictions that limit how much 14

individual traits can be improved. They must also abide by industrial priorities, which focus on yield and dry matter, for example.

As disease traits can be tested easily in the laboratory, sometimes the markers that are developed are those that apply to disease

rather than to yield. “Yield is very difficult — it’s a highly complex trait and shows a lot of environmental variation,” explains Tai. Environmental priorities include a focus on traits that will reduce the necessity for the use of chemicals in the field, or nutrient-use efficiency so growers can ultimately reduce their reliance on fertilizers. “You have to be selective as to what’s needed at any particular time, and ask the industry what they’re seeing as a priority in terms of what they’d like to pick up. Behind all of that is always what the grower needs to maintain their profitability,” says Tai. What the grower identifies as top concerns can include nutrient-use efficiency and yield.

There are also priorities for human health.

In the mid-2000s the Bio-Potato Network was formed to focus research efforts on the potential for health benefits in potato metabolites. Among other things, the Network, which ended in 2011, looked at the antioxidant content of pigmented potatoes. Antioxidants can help offset diseases associated with oxidative stress, and they are present in the form of anthocyanin in orange and yellow, purple and pink potatoes. These are the same antioxidants present in berries, according to Tai, and the fresh market is beginning to trend toward pigmented tubers.

The Potato Research Centre and National Research Council in Prince Edward Island were partners in the BioPotato Network, and examined health attributes of potato. “We looked at molecular and cellular assays for human health — they applied the potato metabolites and looked at the cells to see if there could be some benefits,” she says.

Potato geneticists and breeders are more equipped now than at any other point in history to develop potatoes with enhanced characteristics in a short time, armed with the potato genome and the technologies to unlock its potential.

“We’re combining the strength of the computer with the breadth of data across the genome,” says Tai. Julienne Isaacs is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer and editor.

POTATO GUIDE 2014

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H-76-10/13-TCS13052-E