Herbicides for potatoes are special preparations that destroy unwanted plants in the garden. Weeds always grow along with potatoes and use the same nutrients and moisture. Such proximity affects the appearance of the culture, and in a negative way. This contributes to the development of various diseases and the attack of parasitic insects.
The growth and development of weeds in the garden bed can reduce the potato yield. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to destroy weeds in a timely manner. Fortunately, this no longer needs to be done by hand.In order to get rid of parasitic plants, herbicides are used.
Types of drugs
Weed control is carried out using herbicides. According to the method of use and processing time, they are divided into:
- pre-emergence;
- post-emergence;
- regardless of the phase of growth and development of the culture.
Only healthy plants are treated with herbicides. The maximum effect can be achieved if you choose the right product. It is best to navigate by potato seedlings.
Lapis lazuli
One of the most popular and popular drugs is the herbicide Lazurit. Some potato varieties do not tolerate its effects. This indicates the plant is highly sensitive. If treatment has occurred, the crops slow down in growth and development.
Herbicide Lapis lazuli is presented in powder form. It has a long period of active influence. Just one spraying will help a person get rid of weeds before the end of the season. The dose is selected taking into account the size of the land that needs treatment, the condition of the land and the number of weeds.
Lapis lazuli is an indispensable assistant in the fight against weeds. Provides reliable protection during all phases of potato development. Its main advantage is that it does not harm vegetables.
Lapis lazuli is a drug with selective action against plant parasites, the basis of which is metribuzin. When the potato shoots have reached a height of 3–5 cm, you can start spraying. Exactly a month later the procedure is repeated to destroy new weeds.
Once on the leaves, the active substance penetrates into the root. It prevents the weeds from being saturated with moisture, nutrients and oxygen. The parasitic plant begins to wither and eventually dies completely.The instructions for use indicate that when working with the drug you must adhere to safety rules.
Toxicity
The use of the drug is prohibited in areas near which bee hives are located. It is important to understand that lapis lazuli is a kind of poison for a living organism. The safe distance is at least 2 km. If the wind speed exceeds 5 m/s, processing is also prohibited. Precautions for humans:
- put on goggles and a respirator;
- during processing, wear a suit made of thick fabric;
- refrain from smoking and eating.
The product has a hazard class of III. Despite this, it is recommended to take precautions. In addition, a person is prohibited from staying on the treated area for more than 4 hours.
Preparation of the solution
It is necessary to prepare a herbicide solution only before use. If there is anything left after processing, the liquid is disposed of. There is no point in storing the prepared solution, as it very quickly loses all its beneficial properties. Preparation:
- Without opening the original packaging, mix the powder thoroughly.
- Prepare a container for spraying.
- Pour half the required amount of water into it and add the required dose of the substance.
- Mix everything thoroughly until the powder is completely dissolved.
- Add the rest of the liquid and stir again.
After spraying the potatoes against weeds, wash the container with running clean water. The most suitable conditions for treating crops with herbicide are dry weather. It shouldn't be too hot outside. Light rain is allowed.
Before moving on to using Lapis Lazuli, it is necessary to determine the susceptibility of the vegetable variety that grows in the garden. Herbicides are an excellent opportunity to grow crops without weeding.But we should not forget that this is real poison, only in a mild form. Such aggressive substances are used as a last resort.
For ease of use, herbicides are produced in a special container.
Analogs
Another effective herbicide for potatoes after germination is Titus. It not only controls the appearance of weeds, but also stores the entire harvest. Penetrating into the plant, it slows down its growth. It copes well with weeds that have the ability to curl - field bindweed. Over all the years of its existence, it continues to fight both annual and perennial plants that parasitize edible crops.
The form of release of the product is granules. It contains the active ingredient rimsulfuron. Titus herbicide acts on the plant through the leaves. This is an excellent alternative to pre-emergent products. Weeds begin to disappear from the garden bed after the first spraying with herbicide.
It penetrates potatoes 3 hours after it hits the leaves and stems. At the same time, it does not in any way affect the tops and root crops themselves, if you strictly follow the instructions. Over the course of 2 weeks, Titus decomposes, after which it loses its protective properties. But this period is quite enough to destroy all the weeds in the garden.
Using poison to kill weeds is very simple and convenient. This component is suitable for tank mixtures. Titus is used only in warm weather with high humidity. On cloudy days its effectiveness is not as pronounced.
Important point
If there are weeds on the potatoes, Lapis Lazuli will quickly get rid of them. Also, a wide range of similar drugs is available. The means for spraying vegetables are selected based on the type of potato and the size of the plot. Herbitox – herbicide, which is more suitable for cereals.It is often used in fields or large plots of land.
If after spraying soil herbicides do not give the desired result, use an additional drug - Titus. You need to sprinkle your garden in dry weather.
Rules for working with herbicides
When processing a site, you must use the following rules:
- The drugs are diluted only in a plastic or glass container.
- The solution for the surface to be treated is prepared just before its use.
- The type of soil, type of vegetable, size of the plot and the number of weeds affect the dosage of herbicides.
- For potatoes, weed control herbicides are sprayed during warm weather. Temperature range – from +17 °C to +26 °C. At lower temperatures, drugs lose effectiveness.
- When planning the time of spraying, eliminate the possibility of precipitation. If it rains 8 hours after processing the crop, it will not be able to wash away the nutrients.
- When working with herbicides, never forget about safety precautions.
- As soon as the person has finished, he should take a shower and change his clothes to clean ones.
- If there is no way to dispose of the liquid that remains, it is poured out in a vacant lot.
- There should be no diseases on the potatoes.
- After the expiration date, the product cannot be used.
- Weeds can adapt to herbicides; to avoid this, it is recommended to periodically change the preparations.
- If a week has passed since spraying, you can start watering the potatoes.
Getting rid of weeds from potatoes is possible. Due to the large list of rules, it may seem that this is a very complex and painstaking matter, but it is not. To enjoy healthy potato shoots in the garden, you must follow basic rules.If you adhere to them constantly, it will become a habit, and it will not be difficult for a person to cultivate the garden.
Additional means to fight the weeds
Unfortunately, herbicides are not a universal remedy that will help eliminate weeds forever. For this, the following are used as additional drugs:
- pesticides – fight weeds;
- nematicides – destroy nematodes;
- acaricides - eliminate the possibility of infection of the crop by mites;
- fungicides – fight fungal spores;
- insecticides are chemical substances that kill parasitic insects.
All of the above means can be used for any crop variety. It can be either white or red potatoes. Parasitic plants that affect the growth of root crops can reduce the amount of harvest. In such cases, it is advisable to use compounds of natural origin.
People who have managed to use the drug speak positively about Lapis lazuli and its analogues against weeds on potatoes. Reviews that can be found online confirm this. Specially developed products work well against bindweed, which is difficult to get rid of. Spraying vegetables with herbicides makes caring for the crop much easier.
