Mixture of sprouting solutions identified

Potential replacements for crop suppressant CIPC designed to help potato growers reduce sprouting in storage

An uncertain future for crop suppressant CIPC means potato growers will have to consider a mix of products to limit potato sprouting in stores, according to the latest research.

CIPC is currently used on more than 80% of potatoes stored in the UK but the European Food Safety Agency’s recommendation is for non-renewal, which could leave many growers lacking options in terms of short and long-term potato storage.

So, while the product remains the most effective method for reducing sprouting in storage, levy body AHDB has been carrying out trials on alternative suppressants and early results have shown that some of these options work well, particularly when combined.

AHDB crop storage senior scientist Adrian Briddon said future growers may need to combine two or three chemicals, such as maleic hydrazide and DMN, to get the same result as CIPC.

He said that in the first year of trials combinations of active substances were needed to control sprouting in the most demanding conditions, without CIPC.

“In the first year DMN performed very well, with sprout control on a par with CIPC, under the conditions tested. But it’s not yet available in the UK. It is available elsewhere in Europe, though, so we hope UK approval will be soon,” said Mr Britton.

Another strand of AHDB research is focusing on the dormancy, with the characteristics of around 30 potato varieties being monitored at AHDB’s Sutton Bridge stores, to assess which remain dormant longest and so which offer growers the greatest chance of reducing chemical inputs and costs.

Mr Britton said: “Although our understanding of potato dormancy is incomplete, we know that some varieties will remain dormant for a short period, perhaps just a few days, whereas others will do so for months.

“This work will give us a better understanding of which commercially popular varieties can last longest in store without sprout suppressant being applied.

“King Edward, for example, breaks dormancy very quickly and so using sprout suppressants is often a must. On the other hand, if you grow Nectar, you have a greater chance of reducing chemical use in store as it will remain dormant far longer.

“If we can identify varieties with reliable, long periods of dormancy, the industry has the option to reduce their

use of sprout suppressants by growing varieties that are better suited to growers’ stores.”

The research into alternative options to CIPC will run for two more seasons with the aim of providing growers with sprout suppressant strategies as chemical use is further restricted.

AHDB has launched a new storage network of industry advisers to ensure all growers have face-to-face time with a storage expert, and it is also running a number of storage events across the UK.

Growers and store managers can find out more or register at potatoes.ahdb.org.uk/events

Growth industry: Senior crop scientist Adrian Briddon, left, is investigating products which limit potato sprouting in stores.