Bayer’s new Velum Prime nematicide and Movento insecticide can help growers prevent damage from nematodes and provide a yield boost in potato fields.

With the potential to cause up to 90% annual yield loss, nematodes can be a key threat to a potato crop. Nematodes affect potatoes directly by feeding on roots and tubers and indirectly through transmission of fisease. To protect yields and plant health, growers should take action either at planting or in-season to mitigate demage.

Velume Prime plus Movento from Bayer provide a systematic solution designed to protect root health and maximize potato yield potential. Called the V+M solution, the combination of these tools can boost plant health by not only preventing below-ground plant parasitic nematodes but other above-ground damaging pests such as mites and insects, including psyllids and aphids. In fact, field trials held in Connell, Washington, the V+M solution increased marketable yield by 82 cwt/A, as compared to Vydate insecticide/nematicide, under heavy nematode pressure.

“The V+M program for nematode management is effective because you put the Velume Prime in-furrow at planting to affect the nematodes in the soil. And then you come back before closing and put the Velum and Movento applications and that will stop whatever nematodes get in the root system,’ said Dr. Saad Hafez, nematology professor and Extension specialist at the University of Idaho.

Velum Prime nematicide is an innovative, non-fumigant nematicide with disease-management benefits, says the producing company. It can be applied in-furrow during planting or early in the potato-growing season via overhead chemigation. Due to its nematode suppression, Velum Prime protects root health to help establish the crop, leading to improved yield potential. In addition, Velum Prime has systemic movement that effectively suppresses key soil and foliar diseases, including early blight and white mold.

Movento insecticide offers two-way movement both upward and downward within plant tissue to protect against pests, including nematodes. Specifically, Movento manages adult female pests, reducing fecundity and limiting the survival of their offspring, therefore providing more effective reduction of overall pest pressure. With its allover plant protection, Movento also protects against the diseases associated with key pests such as potato leaf roll virus, potato virus Y, zebra chip disease, and Verticillium wilt. With long-lasting protection and a high level of residual efficacy, Movento also protects new foliage, root and tuber growth.

“The V+M Solution is attractive to growers because you can get both nematode and disease suppression. And really, once you get a healthy vine, you get a really good yield response,” concluded Hafez.