Method of using the drug "Prestige" for processing potatoes and reviews about it

The fight against insect pests and fungal diseases of potatoes is included in the list of mandatory planting care procedures. Most gardeners prefer to act according to the principle that the disease is easier to prevent than to cure. The insecticidal and fungicidal preparation "Prestige" for potato processing helps them in this.

The main advantage of the tool is its use over landing by spraying the tubers with a solution. During the growing season, the solution is not used, therefore, until the time of harvest, the active substances have time to be neutralized.

Description of the drug

"Prestige" is an insecticidal and fungicidal preparation manufactured by the German company Bayer Crop-Science. Its action is aimed at preventing attacks by gnawing and sucking insects and infection with fungal spores.

Composition:

• imidacloprid - 140 g / l;
• pencycuron - 150 g / l.

In the photo - the drug "Prestige".

Properties

The active ingredient imidacloprid (insecticide) blocks the transmission of nerve impulses in the body of insects, thereby protecting potato plantings from:

• bear;
• potato moth larvae;
• wireworm;
• Colorado potato beetle;
• flea beetles;
• aphids;
• cicadas.

Fungicide pencycuron inhibits biosynthetic processes inside fungal spores and prevents the development of such diseases:

• rhizoctonia;
• scab;
• wet rot.

The drug increases germination, increases the defenses of the plant, in particular, makes potatoes resistant to late blight. Seed processing increases resistance to sudden changes in average daily temperature and to excess moisture in the soil.

The use of the chemical saves time and effort on planting processing due to its insecticidal and fungicidal action. The drug is combined with a complex fertilizer "Mikom", growth stimulants "Poteytin", "Biolan", fungicide "Maxim".

How to use correctly

The drug is intended for pre-planting treatment of tubers in two ways: spraying before germination and processing before planting in the ground. Both methods are equally effective, so the choice is up to the gardener.

Instructions for preparing the solution and processing methods

Before proceeding with the processing of tubers before germination, the seeds are taken out of storage 20-25 days before planting and left to warm up at a temperature of + 15 ° C for 24 hours. Then a working solution is prepared, which is used immediately: 10 ml of the product is diluted in 100 ml of water and stirred until smooth. This volume is sufficient for processing 10 kg of potatoes. A measuring cup will help you accurately measure the right amount of liquid.

Seeds are spread on plastic wrap in one layer and sprayed with a solution using a spray bottle on both sides. The tubers are left to dry completely and placed in boxes for germination.

The advantage of this method is the formation of strong and healthy shoots. Disadvantage - the duration of the product is reduced, and young tubers remain unprotected during the period of active growth.

Reference. The working solution stains the potatoes red, so they cannot be confused with untreated tubers.

The second method of treatment involves spraying the seeds with a protective solution 3 hours before planting. The concentration of the working solution is the same. The action is carried out at a safe distance from other garden crops. A film is spread on the ground, the tubers are laid in an even layer and processing is carried out. The seeds are left to dry for 30-60 minutes.

The advantage of this method is a longer protection period compared to the first method.

Important! The drug is used to treat seeds of mid-season and late potato varieties. Spraying tubers of early varieties is undesirable: the chemical will not have time to neutralize before harvesting.

With a large area of ​​distribution of the wireworm, the concentration of the solution should be maximum. When using the drug together with other protective drugs, it is necessary to make sure that the chemical elements are compatible and the expediency of simultaneous use.

Precautions

Despite the fact that Prestige belongs to the class of safe chemicals with minimal harm to humans, insects and birds, the manufacturer advises to observe precautions when spraying planting material:

• to manipulate in protective clothing, rubber gloves, a respirator and glasses, then take a shower and change clothes;
• in case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of clean water;
• if a chemical enters the esophagus, rinse the stomach, take an adsorbent, and seek medical attention;
• it is forbidden to process tubers with traces of rot, this leads to a decrease in germination;
• process freshly cut tubers only after dipping in ash and tightening the incision;
• it is impossible to spray the ground part of the plants with a solution, since the poisonous substances will not have time to decompose into safe components.

Effect duration

"Prestige" is characterized by the rapidity of entering the phase of activity, which reaches its peak 3-4 hours after treatment. The effectiveness of protection lasts for 1.5-2 months.

The period of action of the drug after germination:

• from the Colorado potato beetle - 37 days;
• from aphids - 39 days;
• from wireworm - during the growing season;
• fungicidal protection - until the end of the season.

The benefits and harms of using

What harm does Prestige bring to human health? Many gardeners are of the opinion that this is not the safest way to protect potatoes from pests and diseases, so they often refuse to use it. The main argument is that the tubers accumulate harmful substances and become unsuitable for human consumption. In fact, the drug belongs to the third class of toxicity according to the classifier of toxic agents of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation - "Prestige" is recognized as moderately dangerous.

Pencicuron goes through a stage of photodegradation (decomposition into safe substances under the influence of ultraviolet radiation) on the surface of the soil and in water. In the process of studying the residual amount of imidacloprid, scientists managed to find out that the active substance spreads from the roots up the green mass, without a reverse movement, so young tubers do not suffer.

At the Research Institute of Environmental Hygiene named after V.I. Medvedev, in the course of studying the effect of the active substances of "Prestige" on plants, it was possible to prove that 40-45 days after treatment, there are no toxins in the tubers.

The benefits of using the chemical are undeniable. Potatoes are reliably protected from fungal diseases and attacks of insect pests, while remaining safe for consumption.

Price

The price for 1 liter of the drug "Prestige" ranges from 2,400 to 3,000 rubles. A 60 ml can costs 420-450 rubles.

Analogs

On the modern market of protective preparations for potatoes, analogues of "Prestige" are presented.

Reviews

Disputes about the dangers and benefits of the Prestige potato dressing do not subside. Only the effectiveness of the drug remains undeniable. On the forums dedicated to the cultivation of vegetable crops, gardeners leave diametrically opposite reviews.

Vadim, Sarov: «I have been using the product for three years in a row and have not noticed any negative consequences for health and the environment. I studied in detail the mechanism of action of active substances and the method of application of the drug, talked with agronomists, who convinced me of the absolute safety of the product. There is an apiary next to the garden, the bees are alive and well. I process the potatoes just before planting, leave them in the sun to dry completely, and then put them in the ground. The bushes do not get sick, they grow strong and healthy. "

Igor, Vologda: “I don’t think Prestige is a panacea for all potato ailments, but it significantly reduces the risk of fungal infection, attacks of the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm. I'd rather get a harvest commensurate with the labor costs than undermined by larvae and beetles. All these herbal talkers and infusions do not bring the desired result, especially when the plantings occupy not 2 ares, but much more. "

Varya, Mozhaisk: “I constantly hear rave reviews about Prestige, but I'm afraid to try it myself. Recently, an article came across in which information was submitted about the ban of imidacloprid in the EU countries due to the extinction of bees. I am wary of any chemicals, I try not to use them for spraying vegetables, because then we eat all this. And somehow it is hard to believe in the information from the manufacturer about the rapid decay of active substances. I am for environmentally friendly products. "

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Conclusion

Among the farmers, there are adherents and opponents of the use of chemicals for pre-planting potatoes. The main argument in favor of their use is the ability to prevent fungal infection and the spread of gnawing and sucking insects on the site.

The drug "Prestige" has a double effect due to the active components imidacloprid and pencycuron. The working solution is used to treat tubers before germination or just before planting. The product belongs to the third class of toxicity, does not have a detrimental effect on humans and the environment.