Record warm winter weather has put potatoes at high risk of sprouting, growers have been warned. Many tubers came into the store with low or even breaking dormancy, due to scorching summer temperatures. But growers planning to step up in-store chemical use need to be aware of new residue limits, advises Gro-Stop manufacturer Luxan.

“This is a very bad year for sprouting,” notes technical manager for Frontier Agriculture Les Sykes. “We started the season in a very difficult situation, and it’s been hard ever since to keep on top of sprouting due to unusually high winter temperatures, especially in ambient stores.”

A quirk of the exceptionally warm weather earlier in the year, many crops have come into store having already broken dormancy. December temperatures have reached record highs, with few frosts to aid store temperature draw-down. Later-harvested wet crops are particularly vulnerable, adds Mr Sykes. “Be vigilant – look throughout the store every week and dig down into the crop to see what’s happening. Keep a look out for any signs of sprouting and take prompt action.”

Technical manager for Luxan Peter Boyne confirms chlorpropham (CIPC) applications started early this year and that Gro-Stop programmes are now well-underway. He advises a well-structured and professional approach to applying sprout-suppressants. “Good agricultural practice and following label recommendations are essential as we are now working within a ten parts per million Maximum Residue Level (MRL).”

It is not the amount of CIPC, but how it is applied and how the store is managed that ensures you keep on top of a potential problem, advises Mr Boyne. "A well-managed low dose programme is highly effective in a well-loaded store with good airflow, even in a tricky year”

To aid growers and advisors, Luxan is encouraging Gro-Stop users to join its recently-launched STAR Initiative (Storage Treatment and Residues). “We’re keeping members up-to-date with regulatory requirements and have been giving tailored advice on how to adapt programmes responsibly to this season’s particularly tricky conditions,” reports Mr Boyne.

Luxan Gro-Stop Low Dose programmes have been designed with low residues in mind, he adds. “Gro-Stop 100 can now be used throughout the storage season to keep sprouting at bay.”

The product’s non-flammable formulation means fans can stay on in store while product is being applied, ensuring a more even distribution and reducing the risk of sedimentation.

Introduced to the UK two years ago, Gro-Stop 100 can be applied just two days before unloading stores, points out Mr Boyne. “It gives you far more flexibility when managing CIPC programmes, and allows you to meet short notice market opportunities.”

For information or to join the STAR initiative, e-mail enquiry@luxan.co.uk or visit the Luxan website (www.luxan.co.uk).

The Luxan ‘Low Dose, Low Residues Programme’ was developed to meet all the new EU requirements of the EC 91/414 Annex 1 listing for the use of CIPC, when used in accordance with the label recommendations. Users should discuss their storage planning and requirements with a Luxan Gro-Stop Appointed Distributor to ensure they receive the correct advice for their storage conditions or call Luxan UK Ltd for further information.