The fight against insect pests and fungal diseases of potatoes is included in the list of mandatory procedures for caring for plantings. Most gardeners prefer to act on the principle “it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it.” The insecticidal-fungicidal preparation “Prestige” for processing potatoes helps them with this.
The main advantage of the product is its use before planting by spraying the tubers with a solution. The solution is not used during the growing season, so the active substances have time to be neutralized before harvesting.
Description and composition of the drug Prestige
The Prestige disinfectant contains two main active ingredients - imidacloprid and pencycuron. This is a unique combination of two substances. They are both poisonous. However, their decomposition ends after 40 days. They are gradually removed from the fruit. After 50 days, we can safely say that there is not a single mg of Prestige insecticide left in the crop.
Thanks to its unique composition, the Prestige working solution freezes over the crops after treatment, forming a very thin film. During the specified time of action, the drug works, destroying both larvae and adults. The chemical does not need to be washed off with water.
Purpose of the drug
Prestige is used when crops are damaged by the Colorado potato beetle and other insect pests; it also works against larvae, eliminates fungus and related diseases. After treatment, the plants are protected throughout the growing season.
The insecticide has shown effectiveness not only against the Colorado potato beetle, but also against other harmful insects.
The list continues with the following insect pests:
- aphids (protection from 35 to 40 days);
- midges;
- wireworm (the protective effect extends throughout the entire period);
- thrips;
- sawfly;
- mole.
In the photo there is a sawfly
Prestige is effective against plant diseases such as rhizoctonia and scab. The protection takes effect immediately. For example, when processing potatoes, the tubers end up in the planting hole. Basic substances form a protective environment around young plants.
Attention!
The poisons included in the Prestige insecticide do not accumulate in potato tubers. Treatment, on the contrary, has a positive effect on young crops, increases resistance, immunity, stimulates the formation, growth and development of plants. As a result, it becomes easier to care for the crop, and less effort and time is spent on pest control.
How to properly and safely treat potatoes with Prestige before planting?
According to statistics, about 60% of the potato harvest on private plantations is lost due to damage by all kinds of diseases and pests. This situation is forcing an increasing number of gardeners to look for ways to protect the popular nightshade crop and preserve the future harvest. The maximum effect can be achieved by treating seed or planting material with special preparations. One of these drugs today is “Prestige,” which causes a lot of controversy among gardeners about the balance of benefits and harms of the substances included in its composition. How to properly treat potatoes with Prestige before planting? And are summer residents’ concerns about the possible health hazards of the drug justified?
Release form
The manufacturer of Prestige fungicide is the world famous German company Bayer.
There are different types and packaging available:
- syringes in a blister with a volume of 6 ml;
- bags (30 ml);
- bottles of 60, 150, 500 ml.
These types of packaging are convenient for the buyer. In fact, you can buy almost any volume of Prestige, based on the number of treatments required and their area.
Advantages of Prestige insecticide
Gardeners have long used a variety of insecticides. Prestige is an innovative drug in this category.
It has a lot of undeniable advantages:
- low level of toxicity;
- no need to do frequent processing;
- the duration of action of the drug Prestige is 40 days - enough to properly eliminate pests, protect plants, strengthen and promote normal development;
- does not accumulate in fruits;
- high efficiency of Prestige against the Colorado potato beetle, wireworm, fungi and other pathogenic microorganisms;
- stimulates photosynthesis;
- rapid penetration into plant tissue, which leads to the death of insects, while maintaining safety for humans and the environment.
The disadvantages include the high cost of the drug Prestige, but the costs are fully recouped by the 100% result.
Testing the effectiveness of the drug "Prestige" against the Colorado potato beetle
Mechanism of action and scope of application
The drug from Bayer CropScience is a disinfectant that has two effects at once: fungicidal and insecticidal.
As a fungicide, the product acts as follows:
- affects fungal microorganisms, disrupting the ability to divide, which is why fungi cannot live and reproduce;
- stimulates the production of substances that protect the plant from pathogens. These microelements are not dangerous for fruit crops, animals and humans;
- leads to the death of leaves and other parts that are already affected by the fungus. This is a necessary measure that prevents spores from infecting other leaves and branches;
- inhibits energy metabolism in fungal cells, causing the latter to die.
This effect is achieved thanks to the action of pencycuron, a contact fungicide. It does not penetrate inside the plant, but acts externally, making this substance safer than systemic drugs that affect the plant from the inside.
The product is effective against common scab and rhizoctonia.
The insecticidal effect is achieved due to the second active ingredient – imidacloprid. Once in the body of insects, this substance blocks ion exchange in the synapses of nerve cells, which is why the animal’s body seems to “freeze”: the insect convulses or cannot move due to paralysis. As a result, the pest dies. The product is active against beetles (including Colorado potato beetles), Homoptera, Lepidoptera and thrips.
The drug has two effects: fungicidal and insecticidal
Prestige: instructions for use
Fungicide Prestige is used for pre-planting treatment of potato tubers, before germination and to provide protection for plants from the Solanaceae family. You must carefully read the instructions, including dosages.
Prestige treatment of potatoes before planting
Among the activities for growing potato crops, special attention is paid to the disinfection treatment of tubers immediately before sowing. This is also a preventive measure to prevent the emergence of infectious agents.
It also increases the protective properties of the crop. Further, it is still necessary to carry out prevention of the following diseases: fusarium, late blight, alternaria.
Consumption rates for the drug Prestige
Prestige potato processing includes the following procedures:
- 50 ml of the drug is diluted with 500 ml of water;
- mix everything thoroughly;
- potato tubers are laid out on film or other material with sufficient density;
- Spraying is carried out on one side;
- wait until completely dry;
- turn the tubers over;
- carry out processing on the other side.
Attention!
It is necessary that the working composition of Prestige covers the entire surface of the tuber. This is important to follow.
Before planting, those potatoes that have been processed do not need to be cut.
The specified amount of insecticide is enough to treat 50 kg of potatoes.
Treatment before germination
The drug performed well when disinfecting potatoes before sprouting. To do this, take seed tubers for planting and process them three to four weeks in advance. The whole procedure is the same as during planting: the tubers are laid out on a material made of dense fabric and sprayed with Prestige on all sides.
Processing potatoes with Prestige
Prestige insecticide consumption rates: for 600 liters of water – 50 ml of product. Spray using a spray bottle. Only completely dried tubers are collected in boxes for germination. You can carry out the treatment while combining it with growth stimulants.
Description of the product Prestige from the manufacturer
Seedling protection
Prestige is great for crops grown in seedlings. The Colorado potato beetle likes to eat not only potatoes; it is also dangerous for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and berry crops.
To protect the culture, make a solution of the drug in a proportion of 10 ml per 1 liter of water. Plant roots are placed in the prepared solution. Leave for at least 7-8 hours before planting.
There is another option for preparing a solution for treating the roots. It will additionally protect against insects gnawing leaves, parasites in the soil, and flukes.
A special mixture is made from the following ingredients:
- clay – 800 g;
- water – 1 liter;
- compost or humus – 800 gr.
The components are mixed, making a kind of “chatter”. Separately, 20 ml of insecticide is diluted in 1 liter of water and added to the rest of the “ingredients”. Mix thoroughly again. Only the roots are immersed in the mixture. This volume of liquid is enough for the number of bushes from 30 to 40.
Attention:
It is recommended to plant tubers and treated plants directly into the soil. Otherwise, the toxic components will not act as effectively.
Treatment of seed tubers before planting
Dilute Prestige disinfectant according to the instructions in a plastic bottle of suitable capacity. Before preparing the solution, mark the bottle into levels according to the number of batches of tubers being processed. To do this, you can use a marker or pieces of adhesive tape, colored tape, or electrical tape.
A set of items for treating potatoes with Prestige
To prepare a working solution for 64-72 kg of seeds (8-9 buckets), I use 1 bottle with 60 ml of concentrate. I mark the solution in a plastic bottle into four levels for 8 buckets or four and a half for 9.
Before processing, a batch of seed potatoes should be placed on a sheet of plastic film of sufficient size and strength so that you can grab it by the edges and mix the tubers sprayed with the solution to more evenly distribute the dressing over the surface of the seeds.
Seed potatoes on film before Prestige treatment
It is better to divide seed potatoes for processing with Prestige into batches of 2 buckets. This will make it easier for one person to mix the treated tubers, and there will be less chance of the film breaking.
It is most convenient to spray the Prestige disinfectant from the bottle in which it is diluted, through a spray nozzle, or using a small garden sprayer, pouring the solution from the bottle into it at the marked levels.
Seed potatoes on film after treatment with Prestige
As a last resort, in the absence of plastic film, you can take a polypropylene bag and process the seed potatoes in it, only when mixing you can get more dirty than when using film.
Preparation Prestige: consumption rate for different crops
Different crops have their own individual consumption rates for Prestige.
So, for potatoes, take from 70 to 100 ml of Prestige insecticide per 1 liter of water
. The resulting solution is sufficient to process 100 kg of potato tubers.
Important!
According to the instructions for use of the drug Prestige, you should purchase 10 ml of the product for every 10 kg of seed potatoes.
For soaking before planting in a permanent place of growth of the root system of eggplants, tomatoes and cabbage, 100 ml of Prestige per 10 liters of water is required.
Processing potatoes using TABOO AND PRESTIGE means - video
To pickle the seeds of onions, carrots, cabbage you will need 10 ml per 1 liter of water
. The seeds are kept in the prepared solution for only half an hour. This procedure protects the plantings from thrips, flea beetles, and flies.
For soaking seedlings of fruit plants, take 15 ml per 1 liter of water.
. The above describes a “chatterbox” made of clay and humus. It is into this that the solution is added. The roots are placed in the liquid for 3 hours.
Foreign and domestic analogues
The product from Bayer CropScience is not suitable for all gardeners. However, among a large number of products, you can choose analogues of the drug prestige for processing potatoes.
Here are a few disinfectants that will protect your garden or garden from pests:
- Mospilan is a systemic insecticide from the Japanese company Nippon Soda Co. Effective against Colorado potato beetle, aphids, greenhouse whitefly, western flower tris and other insects. Available in the form of a soluble powder. Cost – 6300 rubles per kilogram;
- Tanrek is a Russian disinfectant. Destroys pests on potatoes, flower crops, cucumbers, tomatoes and other fruit plants. Valid for 3 weeks after use. Subject to storage conditions, it can be used for 3 years. Cost – 70 rubles per 10 ml.
- Actellik is a drug from Syngenta (Switzerland). It is sold as an emulsion concentrate and is sold in 5 liter canisters. It is a broad-spectrum insecticide that kills all types of insects. It does not harm plants, which makes it stand out compared to similar drugs. Valid for up to 3 weeks. Cost - from 18 thousand rubles per 5 liter canister (4 thousand rubles per 1 liter).
Choose an analogue based on your goals.
Toxicity of Prestige
Insectofungicide Prestige belongs to hazard class III
. It is safe for humans, warm-blooded animals, and processed plants. Despite this, it is very important to follow the processing times specified in the instructions and take into account the characteristics of the crop being processed in terms of vegetation.
On a note:
In the central zone of the country, the drug Prestige is used only in the mid-season or late stages of potato harvesting. This is done to ensure that all the active substances of the insecticide are completely released by the time of harvest. In the south, it is recommended to process varieties with early and medium ripening periods.
Precautionary measures
The drug belongs to the class of low-hazard drugs. However, it is necessary to strictly observe the consumption rates so that there is no overdose, which can lead to poisoning.
Prestige treatment is carried out wearing protective clothing, gloves and a mask. After the procedure, you must thoroughly wash your face and hands, rinse your mouth, and put your clothes in the wash.
Tubers are processed on dense material or film. After complete drying, they are transferred to a permanent place of growth in bags. The treated seedlings are sorted into bags or boxes, always placing the roots down. Afterwards, the landing is carried out immediately.
Remember safety
Since Prestige is a toxic drug (albeit moderately), reasonable safety precautions when working with it, as with any other chemical, will have to be observed.
- Before starting pickling, you need to make sure that the film on which the potatoes will be processed is not damaged.
- During work, you should use protective equipment (for hands - gloves, for respiratory organs - a respirator, for skin - a protective suit).
- There should be no food in the room.
- During pre-planting treatment, you should not eat, smoke, or talk.
- After completing this work, you must take a shower, wash your hands thoroughly using soap, and rinse your mouth.
- If normal clothing was used during spraying rather than a protective suit, it is recommended to destroy it.
- If the working solution gets into your eyes, rinse them thoroughly under running water.
- If any signs of poisoning appear, you should take sorbents and go to the clinic, taking with you the instructions for the drug.
So, “Prestige” is a fairly effective preparation for pre-planting treatment of potatoes, capable of significantly increasing its yield, improving its appearance, protecting against a whole range of misfortunes. But it must be used correctly, according to the instructions and common sense: in dosages not exceeding those indicated, using personal protective equipment, maintaining the maximum time from spraying the tubers to eating the new crop.
Insecticide Prestige: analogues
The composition of Prestige is unique due to the presence of two active ingredients. Therefore, there are no analogues with exactly the same effect.
Insecticides:
Insecticide Confidelin Spark double effect Tabu VSK and Tabu TRIO from the Colorado potato beetle
However, there are similar products that are more affordable:
- Aktara fungicide;
- Confidor;
- Mospilan;
- Actellik.
Baktor, Rector, Tanrek are considered more similar in action.
Drug Prestige: price
The cost of the drug Prestige in specialized stores is 600 rubles per bottle (60 ml).
Prestige is an innovative, highly effective insectofungicide that works against pests such as the Colorado potato beetle, wireworm, thrips and others.
Helps with fungal infections and related diseases. The use of Prestige in agriculture greatly simplifies the work of growing fruit crops.
