Greenvale’s agronomy division, Produce Solutions, has secured a critical regulatory milestone in the control of potato cyst nematode (PCN). In collaboration with Bayer, the company has obtained the first minor use approval of a herbicide for application in its proprietary DeCyst™ trap crops.

The authorisation grants growers access to Bayer’s ‘Emerger’ (Aclonifen) for targeted weed management, a crucial factor in the successful establishment of PCN trap crops. Until now, no herbicides had been approved for this specific use, leaving growers reliant on the less predictable ‘stale seedbed’ technique.

Weed competition during early crop development has long been a limiting factor for DeCyst™ systems. Historically, farmers were required to prepare seedbeds in advance, encourage initial weed growth, and then apply a herbicide to eliminate those early weeds. However, this method often triggered subsequent flushes of weed emergence, complicating crop establishment.

Through a series of crop safety and efficacy trials, ‘Emerger’ was proven to be both selective and effective when used on DeCyst™ crops, prompting the successful application for minor use authorisation.

Richard Griffith, Senior Trials Agronomist with Greenvale’s Produce Solutions team, welcomed the decision: “Approval of Emerger will make a significant contribution to the ability of our growers in establishing and maintaining a strong DeCyst™ trap crop.”

“These crops are suitable for all soils, are a good source of green manure and have thus far proven to reduce PCN populations in soil by up to 80 percent. Being able to ensure their success is paramount to securing the future of potato growing and production,” he added.

The DeCyst™ programme is an increasingly important component of integrated nematode control strategies in the UK and beyond, offering both sustainable soil health benefits and a measurable reduction in PCN pressure over time.