Syngenta UK launches Amphore Plus heralds new Alternaria control

Date:11-28-2013

Syngenta UK has announced the launch AMPHORE PLUS® ( mandipropamid+ difenoconazole), a new dedicated Alternaria (early blight) and Potato Blight spray that effectively tackles the two key foliar blight diseases in one treatment.

AMPHORE PLUS combines the industry leading blight control of mandipropamid, with a new Syngenta fungicide active for potatoes, difenoconazole, which has been proven effective on all strains of Alternaria. The product’s launch is the latest development in the Syngenta Potato Science initiative.

Speaking at British Potato 2013, the company’s Field Technical Manager, Stephen Williams, said: “AMPHORE PLUS a simple and cost effective one-product solution to prevent Alternaria and Blight. The highly effective results, seen in UK and European trials, offer the chance to keep crops green and clean of disease right through the season.”

He highlighted that it is be the only one product solution with top-rated performance for Potato Blight and effective results on all strains of Alternaria.

“Further advantages that it offers include a convenient easy-to-use formulation, with no tank-mix required.

“It also gives them all the confidence of full-dose mandipropamid protection, with added Alternaria control. That means proven performance, backed with Syngenta quality assurance.” The product has already received approval in some parts of Europe.

Calculating the cost of Alternaria attack, Steve warned that potato crops hit by infection suffer rapid green leaf loss and early senescence, which could reduce yield by up to 30%. “Furthermore, as a result of early senescence, the smaller tubers can fail to meet contract specification or premium price bands.

“Irregular dry matter from immature crops effects quality and sugar levels that adversely affect processing quality, whilst tuber damage increases skin defects and reduces crop value.”

Steve advocated growers and agronomists undertake a risk assessment of individual crops, including:

•    Is it an Alternaria susceptible variety?
•    Are weather conditions warm and dry?
•    Is the crop under nutrient or drought stress?
•    Is there a history of Alternaria on the farm?

“If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of the risk assessments, growers will need to ensure protection from Alternaria - with AMPHORE PLUS at the centre of their blight programmes,” he advised.

Initial trial results indicate that Alternaria-focussed fungicides are best applied during canopy complete phase in crops during periods of medium to high risk, but before onset of disease symptoms. Typically that would be from six-weeks post emergence and would usually equate to sprays five, seven and nine in the programme, alternating with a blight specific fungicide, such as REVUS or SHIRLAN.