WITH TODAY'S potato planters working faster than ever before, with modern belt planters capable of operating at 10 to 12 km/hr - or three times faster than conventional cup machines - there are implications for all integrated applications on the planter, including fertiliser, seed treatment and Amistar application.

Syngenta's technical manager, Douglas Dyas, highlighted the company's new application trials are looking to assure Amistar spray treatments are targeting the wave of soil generated by planters at higher speeds. "We have been videoing the soil movement beneath the hood of the planter share, and it's evident there is real potential to get a greater mix of soil and spray, to create an extremely effective zone of protection around the seed tuber.

"Redesigning the positioning of the nozzles and providing a shield for the seed tuber could enable improved accuracy and mixing in the soil, and ensure a clean start for fast crop emergence," he said. The Amistar in-furrow treatment is aimed at reducing levels of black dot and rhizoctonia pathogens in the soil.

Targeting rhizoctonia at planting can minimise the effect of stem pruning and shoot damage on the emerging crop, as well as producing more consistent tuber size and shape, with fewer cracks and knobbles and reduced risk of black scurf at harvest. Reducing black dot infection at planting has consistently shown to deliver cleaner, brighter, premium skin finish tubers at harvest and after storage.

"The better the mix of Amistar in the soil the greater the benefit in terms of efficacy," he added. "It is especially important for minimising the build-up of Black Dot at the end of the season - which can buy growers crucial extra protection if harvest is delayed."

Mr Dyas also pointed out that, with the multitude of operations often taking place on the planter, the design of any applicators must assure reliability and simplicity. "The operator's attention is focussed on consistency and depth of seed tuber planting - everything else needs to be as automated as possible."

Best practice is to apply with two nozzles mounted in the planter share - one at the front, to spray the soil as it is opening, and a second mounted at the rear, to spray onto the soil as the furrow is closed back in. The aim is to get all the spray onto the soil, without direct spray onto the seed tuber.

Amistar applicators need to be NSTS tested annually and all applicators should ideally be fitted with nozzle sensors, to quickly identify any flow reduction or soil particle blockages. Trials with new application equipment are being undertaken with operators during planting this season, with results and advice available to all growers ready for next year.