Learning More About BASF Potato Protection Portfolio

The Washington and Oregon Potato Conference is happening today through Thursday in Kennewick at the Convention Center. Today we are visiting with BASF Technical Service Representative Curtis Rainbolt What should potato growers being thinking about this time of year?

Rainbolt: "Well, like most years, potato growers are going to face weed pressure that means they are going need a good herbicide plan or program in place. Then depending on the weather diseases are always out there but with certain environmental conditions those disease can be more severe some years than other.

He says growers also need a plan for ongoing diseases that are usually seen each year like rhizoctonia, black dot, white mold as well as early blight. He continues with BASF solutions potato growers can use.

Rainbolt: "It is really always best to plan ahead for both weeds and disease. Both herbicides and fungicides work best preventively. Going into the year, you probably know the history of your fields and can plan for the weeds you will have out there and get a good preventive herbicide down at the right time. And if weeds do come on later in the season, there are some post emergence options. From the disease management standpoint, it is also key to start out really well. Priaxor fungicide is one of the newest products BASF has in our potato portfolio and it offers really good control of rhizoctonia."

Growers can learn more about the BASF potato portfolio by visiting the BASF booth at L-23 at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference.