Pre-plant potato treatments for Colorado potato beetle

Growing potatoes Potato harvesting is considered a labor-intensive and complex process, requiring significant physical effort and financial investment. However, it's possible to reduce these costs by treating potatoes with effective pesticides against the Colorado potato beetle. This will both yield a bountiful harvest and make caring for the root crop easier.

Advantages of pre-planting treatment

Knowing all the benefits of pre-planting tuber treatment, many gardeners do not even doubt the need for it, since this agricultural technique is capable of:

• protect vegetable crops from many pests;
• have an antifungal effect;
• activate the development of sprouts;
• accelerate the germination of tubers;
• reduce the number of sprays during the growing season, which will reduce the concentration of chemicals in the soil and root crops;
• ensure equalization of fractions and increase marketability by 20 percent or more;
• make it easier to care for the crop in general.

In addition, the soil on the site will remain clean, which is important for further cultivation of garden plants.

How to treat potatoes before planting to prevent Colorado potato beetles

A common problem for all potato gardeners is an infestation of Colorado potato beetles. There are a number of products available to kill the insects on potato plants, but most gardeners are interested in what products can be used to treat the tubers just before planting.

Colorado potato beetle control products

A wide range of products containing both insecticides and fungicides allows you to forget about pests for 1 to 2 months. These products are also easy to use and affordable.

Spraying potatoes with the same pesticide constantly isn't recommended, as the beetle adapts to it. Therefore, when choosing a pesticide, it's important to study its ingredients to ensure a good harvest.Before using any medication, be sure to read the instructions and strictly adhere to the dosage, processing technology, and other manufacturer's recommendations.

The following medications are among the modern, effective drugs that have a broad spectrum of action and can solve a range of problems.

"Prestige"

One of the most popular insecticides and fungicides effective in controlling the Colorado potato beetle. This systemic product is completely degraded and eliminated by the plant within 60 days. It protects potato plants from harmful insects for 40-50 days and from diseases for 37-40 days. It is available as a powder and a concentrated suspension. It is considered moderately hazardous to humans.

Important! It is not recommended to treat early vegetable varieties with Prestige, as the chemicals are completely eliminated within about 60 days.

Maxim

To treat the potato tubers, place them on a sheet of plastic spread on the ground and spray them with the product, diluted according to the instructions, using a spray bottle. The entire surface of each tuber should be treated.

How it works: during germination, the preparation is absorbed into the tops and foliage of the tuber, protecting potato bushes from pest infestation.

Cruiser

"Cruiser" has demonstrated excellent protection against the Colorado potato beetle and potato tuber rot. It blocks the insects' nervous system, causing them to stop feeding and die. This mechanism of action prevents addiction. It lasts for 45 days. 70 ml of the product is required per 100 kg of tubers. This product also increases yields, stimulates vigorous plant growth, and results in earlier flowering and ripening of delicious potatoes.

Celeste Top

A combined insecticide and fungicide treatment for potato tubers. When applying Celeste Top, it's best to use a small amount of water to ensure maximum absorption of the product. This low-toxicity product does not accumulate in young tubers.

"Taboo"

This product is capable of killing harmful insects that attack vegetable crops at all stages of their growth. Its main advantage is its protection against the Colorado potato beetle. The beetles do not become accustomed to it, ensuring its effectiveness throughout the coming season.

Processed potatoes become dangerous for parasites, as Colorado potato beetles die within 24 hours of eating the tubers and sprouts.

Matador Grand

This product is a triple-action systemic fungicide that protects vegetable crops from many dangerous pests and major diseases. To use, dilute 30 ml of the product in 200 ml of water; this amount is enough for 30 tubers. Then, spread the tubers in a single layer and spray them with the resulting solution. Allow them to dry, then turn them over and spray the other side. Once the vegetables are dry, you can begin planting.

Matador Ultra

This product protects potatoes from insidious pests and common diseases at least until the end of flowering. It does not accumulate in the tubers, is low-toxic to humans, and is environmentally safe. The dosage is indicated in the instructions. Two to three hours before planting, lay the potatoes in a single row and spray with the seed treatment solution. Plant the tubers after they have dried.It is prohibited to use the preparation for treating tubers of very early and early varieties.

"Tirana"

Tirana, a popular pre-plant treatment for potatoes, offers reliable protection against the striped potato pest and a wide range of diseases. Dilute 15 ml of the solution in 300-400 ml of water. This amount should be sufficient for 30 kg of root vegetables. Dip the roots in the resulting solution, ensuring the solution covers the entire surface of the tuber. This procedure is recommended before planting. The solution cannot be stored, so it should be used within a few hours of preparation.

"Emesto Quantum"

This product is a cutting-edge insecticidal and fungicidal treatment for pre-planting potatoes. Its unique feature is that it does not cause tolerance and prevents it from penetrating deep into the soil. To prepare the solution, dilute 2.5 ml of the product in 200 ml of water. This amount is sufficient for 10 kg of planting material. Apply the solution immediately by spraying the tubers before planting. It is important that the tubers are not infected or damaged and that they do not touch each other during treatment. The solution cannot be stored.

Folk remedies

Pest attacks impact the quantity and quality of the harvest. Despite the vast array of pesticides available for eradicating the Colorado potato beetle, experienced gardeners continue to rely on traditional methods, often with great success. Safe methods, incorporating years of experience and traditional recipes, will help effectively eliminate all enemies of vegetable crops. The effort expended will be repaid with high-quality, environmentally friendly harvests.

Boric acid

Using boric acid will not only help get rid of the Colorado potato beetle but also prevent a variety of diseases. For preventative purposes, it is recommended to spray sprouted tubers with a 1% boric acid solution before planting them in their permanent location. One liter of the prepared solution is sufficient for treating up to 25 kg of planting material.

Wood ash

This natural substance helps gardeners solve a variety of problems. Ash serves as both a fertilizer for plants and as a weapon in the fight against various fungi, infections, and parasites. It poses a significant threat to Colorado potato beetles, as it can drive the striped robbers out of the garden within two years of regular use.

To disinfect and enrich the tubers with potassium, mix 1 kg of wood ash with 10 liters of water. Dip the potatoes in the resulting solution using a net or basket. Dry the mixture before planting. Alternatively, treat the soil by adding 2 tablespoons of ash to each hole. This is a good disinfectant and nutrient-rich method that doesn't require any additional investment.

Potassium permanganate

Potatoes can be protected from pests using potassium permanganate. To do this, soak sprouted tubers in a solution of 1 gram of the solution diluted in 1 liter of water for 20-30 minutes.

Copper sulfate

The most common fungicide, characterized by its availability and affordability. This blue powder dissolves easily in water. It is highly toxic to adults and larvae of the striped pest. Before planting, spray the tubers with a mixture of 20 g of copper sulfate per 10 liters of water. For greater effectiveness, you can add 1 g of potassium permanganate.

When cutting tubers, after each cut, dip the knife in a 1% solution of copper sulfate.

Ammonia

Ammonia can help rid potato plants of striped pests. Its effectiveness lies in its strong, pungent odor, which repels insects.

General rules for processing

An effective weapon against the Colorado potato beetle is spraying potatoes. To spray correctly, follow these guidelines:

• It is better to treat the seeds before planting or 3 days before it;
• You can buy a sprayer in a store or make it yourself using a 0.5-2 liter container and a pressure pump;
• For large volumes, a spraying device with a large capacity is suitable;
• The standard treatment method involves laying them out on a thick material and spraying them with a pre-prepared solution using a spray bottle. Once one side has dried, they should be turned over and the surface treated in the same way; once it has dried, you can safely plant them.
• Remember to use protective equipment for personal safety: when working with any preparation, wear special clothing, gloves, a gauze bandage or a respirator;
• It is not recommended to use the same product or insecticide from the same chemical group every year, as they contribute to the development of resistance in insects.

By following all recommendations, you can boast of a rich harvest of high-quality potatoes, which are a strategic food product for humans.

Is it possible to spray potatoes after rain?

Potato spraying should be done in dry, windless weather—rain during the day can wash away the product and reduce its effectiveness. It's also best to spray on cloudy days, in the morning or evening.

Is pre-planting treatment harmful?

There are comments from gardeners who have treated their root vegetables with chemicals before planting, stating that the taste changes, and there's no guarantee they'll crave chemically treated potatoes. However, many disagree and recommend spraying the tubers before planting, as this will yield a high-quality, tasty harvest that requires much less time and effort to grow. This is because using such products significantly reduces the number of additional trips to the garden to carry out pest control treatments.

Treating potato tubers before planting reliably protects the plant from the Colorado potato beetle and guarantees a high-quality harvest. Knowing how to properly treat potato tubers can help you grow such a delicious crop that all your neighbors will envy it.