HPIPM:Potato Vine Desiccants

Author: Gary D. Franc

Vine desiccants are used aid tuber harvest. Vine desiccants kill the foliar portion of the potato plant, enabling more efficient movement of machinery and more efficient harvest in the absence of green vines. Complete vine death prior to harvest also reduces inoculum sources for late blight and early blight, decreasing the risk of tuber loss in storage. Vine desiccation encourages tuber skin-set, which reduces the potential for tuber injury during harvest. Adequate skin-set reduces the potential for disease loss from various tuber decays, including bacterial soft-rot, Fusarium dry rot, and early blight tuber decay. Vine desiccants should be applied at least 2 weeks prior to harvest, in order to promote adequate skin-set. Be aware that some labels only state the minimum time interval between application and harvest.

Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the sponsors of this web site assume no liability for the suggested use of any chemicals noted in the management section. Contact your local pest management personnel for current information on labeled pesticides that can be used for the intended plant disease, insect pest or weed.