Every year, gardeners begin to fight the Colorado potato beetle, a dangerous pest that causes significant damage not only to potatoes, but also to other garden crops. The spread of insects becomes so widespread that it is almost impossible to eliminate it mechanically. The only effective way to control is to use special chemicals, insecticides, which are specially designed to eliminate insects.
Prestige is considered one of the best drugs for combating the Colorado potato beetle. It should be borne in mind that this is a potent drug belonging to the third class of toxicity. Accordingly, it should be stored, diluted and used with great care. In this article you will find useful information necessary for using the drug in your summer cottage.
- When to process potatoes
- How does Prestige work?
Mechanism of action of the fungicide
Prestige contains an adhesive that allows you to use active substances with maximum efficiency.
After treating the root system, the contact-systemic insecticide begins to move throughout the plant - from roots to stems, leaves, and protects the crop from insects for up to 1-1.5 months. Imidacloprid leads to the development of paralysis and death of harmful organisms. Getting on potato tubers, the insecticide protects the emerging tops and the planting material itself from pests.
The fungicide, unlike the insecticidal component, does not move anywhere; it remains on the roots and is partially absorbed into the soil, creating a protective zone against fungi around the plant. Pencykuron inhibits the germination of mycelium and inhibits biosynthetic processes inside fungi.
The effect of Prestige on the Colorado potato beetle is due to two active components:
- imidacloprid 140 g/l;
- pencykuron 150 g/l.
Pencykuron is an effective pesticide that helps protect potato tubers from the development of fungi and mold and accelerates plant growth. Imidacloprid has an intestinal contact effect and belongs to the category of insecticides. It effectively acts on several groups of garden pests at once.
Poison Prestige begins its effect instantly. When the Colorado potato beetle gets on the surface, toxic components penetrate through the chitinous shell into the pest’s body and paralyze the functioning of its organs. The long-term effect is due to the fact that the components of Prestige are absorbed into the cells of the plant and spread throughout its entire area. Insects die after they try to eat the treated tops.
The remedy for the Colorado potato beetle “Prestige” has a detrimental effect on both adult individuals and their larvae. The product gets into the leaves and stem of the plant. The beetle, eating the shoots, immediately dies. The poisonous components of the product instantly cause paralysis of all organs of the insect.
Mechanism and principle of operation
“Prestige, KS” is a contact-intestinal pesticide by the method of penetration, and a protective pesticide by the nature of its action.
The principle of protective action is illustrated by the following slide.
The principle of protective action against pests of the disinfectant "Prestige, KS"
The mechanism of action of the drug is as follows:
a) Firstly, when protecting against insect pests, imidacloprid, entering the insect’s body, blocks the transmission of nerve impulses at the level of the postsynaptic membrane receptor.
The period of protective action against pests is regulated to 40-60 days after emergence.
It is important that it is characterized by high initial activity against pests. The first results are observed within a few hours after application.
b) Secondly, when protecting against potato diseases , pencicuron penetrates the plant cuticle and inhibits the germination of mycelium, affects the functional state of the cell and nucleus, inhibits the biosynthesis of sterol and free fatty acids inside the fungus, and significantly reduces the content of transport forms of glucose. This significantly helps to curb the development of plant diseases.
The period of protective action of the drug against rhizoctonia and potato scab is established throughout the entire growing season.
The drug "Prestige, KS" has an anti-stress effect, which increases the yield and quality of potatoes. The following slide illustrates these characteristics.
Anti-stress effect of the drug "Prestige, KS"
Composition, release form and purpose of the Prestige disinfectant
The insecto-fungicidal disinfectant from the German company Bayer is a low-toxicity poison used against insects and some types of fungus. The drug Prestige is available in the form of a concentrated suspension. Sold in plastic bottles with a capacity of 20-1000 milliliters. There are 5 liter packs.
Prestige contains the insecticide imidacloprid and the fungicide pencycuron. The insecticidal component helps protect plants from the Colorado potato beetle, wireworm, thrips, aphids, mole crickets, moths, flea beetles, and leafhoppers. The fungicide prevents the development of diseases such as rhizoctonia, common scab, and various rots.
Description and composition of the pesticide "Prestige"
Pesticide "Prestige" is a concentrated suspension of bright pink color without a pronounced odor. When processed, it creates a dense, clearly visible coating of potatoes. It is stored for 3 years in a dry room where the temperature is maintained from +20°C to +40°C. It is necessary to limit children's access to pesticides. The original drug is produced by , only official representatives of the company distribute it.
"Prestige" has insecticidal properties, causing the death of insects and neutralizing fungal infections. In addition to protecting plants from pests, the drug increases germination and increases yield . The composition includes imidacloprid, which belongs to chloronicotinyls (potent contact substances) and the fungicide pencicuron (helps protect plants from diseases).
Pros and cons of the product
Prestige from the Colorado potato beetle
The presence of a potent substance in the composition and high efficiency are not all the advantages that Prestige poison has. the use of an insecticide will also have the following advantages:
- Wide spectrum of action. The product is also actively used to exterminate wireworms, cicadas, moths, flea beetles and aphids.
- Additional protection of tubers from fungus and other damaging factors.
- Stimulates plant growth and accelerates the appearance of first shoots.
- Increasing the resistance of crops to withstand unfavorable external conditions.
- Stimulates photosynthesis for better growth.
Among the large number of advantages, users found virtually no disadvantages to the drug Prestige. The main disadvantage is the higher cost. The price of Prestige ranges from 900-1200 rubles per package of 150 ml.
The high toxicity of the product also deserves special attention. High efficiency justifies this fact, but the insecticide against the Colorado potato beetle should be used with strict precautions.
Advantages of Prestige:
- simultaneously protects against insects and diseases;
- improves the quality of roots and fruits;
- enhances the immune system of plants, stimulates their growth;
- has low toxicity.
Disadvantages of the disinfectant:
- kills not only harmful insects, but also beneficial ones (worms);
- It is undesirable to use for early varieties of potatoes (the active substances will not have time to decompose).
How to use it correctly
The drug is intended for pre-planting treatment of tubers in two ways: spraying before germination and treatment before planting in the ground. Both methods are equally effective, so the choice is up to the gardener.
Instructions for preparing the solution and processing methods
Before starting to process the tubers before germination, the seeds are removed from storage 20-25 days before planting and left to warm up at a temperature of +15°C for 24 hours. Then prepare a working solution, which is used immediately: 10 ml of the product is diluted in 100 ml of water and mixed until smooth. This volume is enough to process 10 kg of potatoes. A measuring cup will help you accurately measure the right amount of liquid.
The seeds are laid out on plastic film in one layer and sprayed with a solution using a spray bottle on both sides. The tubers are left until completely dry and placed in boxes for germination.
The advantage of this method is the formation of strong and healthy shoots. Disadvantage - the validity period of the product is reduced, and young tubers are left without protection during the period of active growth.
Reference. The working solution turns the potatoes red, so they cannot be confused with untreated tubers.
The second treatment method involves spraying the seeds with a protective solution 3 hours before planting. The concentration of the working solution is the same. The action is carried out at a safe distance from other garden crops. A film is spread on the ground, the tubers are laid in an even layer and the processing is carried out. The seeds are left to dry for 30-60 minutes.
The advantage of this method is a longer period of protection compared to the first method.
Important! The drug is used to treat seeds of mid-season and late varieties of potatoes. Spraying tubers of early varieties is undesirable: the chemical will not have time to be neutralized before harvesting.
If the wireworm spreads over a large area, the concentration of the solution should be maximum. When using the drug together with other protective drugs, it is necessary to ensure the compatibility of the chemical elements and the advisability of simultaneous use.
Precautionary measures
Despite the fact that “Prestige” is classified as a safe chemical with minimal harm to humans, insects and birds, the manufacturer advises taking precautions when spraying planting material:
- carry out the manipulation in protective clothing, rubber gloves, a respirator and goggles, then take a shower and change clothes;
- If the substance gets into your eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of clean water;
- if a chemical gets into the esophagus, rinse the stomach, take an adsorbent, and seek medical help;
- It is forbidden to process tubers with traces of rot, this leads to a decrease in germination;
- Process freshly cut tubers only after dipping in ash and tightening the cut;
- You cannot spray the solution on the above-ground parts of plants, since the toxic substances will not have time to decompose into safe components.
Effect duration
“Prestige” is characterized by the rapid entry into the activity phase, which reaches its peak 3-4 hours after treatment. The effectiveness of protection lasts for 1.5-2 months.
Period of action of the drug after germination:
- from the Colorado potato beetle - 37 days;
- from aphids - 39 days;
- from wireworms - throughout the growing season;
- fungicidal protection - until the end of the season.
How to prepare and use the working solution
Prepare the solution in a plastic container immediately before use. Prestige is dissolved in water according to the instructions. Potato tubers are sprayed with the solution or plant roots are soaked in it. Unused remains are poured outside the garden.
Using the drug Prestige for the Colorado potato beetle
Instructions for using Prestige for the Colorado potato beetle warns that a concentrated emulsion is on sale. In order to poison leaf beetles, you should prepare a working solution.
Instructions for using insecticide:
- Dilute 50 ml of concentrated suspension in 3 liters of water.
- To stir thoroughly.
- Pour the prepared liquid into a container with a spray bottle.
- Spread the planting material on film or other convenient surface.
- Spray the preparation onto the tubers. It is important that at least ¾ of each fruit is covered during processing. For convenience, you can first spray one side of the seed, wait until the remedy for the Colorado potato beetle dries, turn it over and treat the other side.
After this, the potatoes are ready for planting. The remedy for the Colorado potato beetle Prestige can be used to protect potatoes before germination. In this case, you must proceed as follows:
- Dilute 25 ml of suspension in 500 ml of water.
- Spread the seed material on film and process on all sides.
- Let the product dry.
- Place the potatoes in storage areas.
The insecticide will also help protect seedlings of many other cultivated plants from the Colorado potato beetle. To do this, a solution is prepared from 10 ml of concentrated solution and 1 liter of water. Treat the seedlings with the prepared product, leave for 8 hours, then plant in the ground.
Analogs
During the period of mass planting, it is not always possible to find the drug “Prestige” on sale. Therefore, in order to protect plants from harmful insects, as well as pathogens of fungal diseases, you can use other chemicals with a similar effect.
Analogues of the drug Prestige
“Masterpiece” is a drug with two active ingredients (imidocloprid, thiabendazole). Consumption rate – 5 ml per 100-150 ml of water. The maximum number of treatments is 1. Consumption of the drug is 5 ml per 100-150 ml of water.
"Tirana" is a concentrated suspension that has a double effect. Active ingredients: imidacloprid, thiabendazole. The duration of the protective effect is 20 days.
“Matador” is an effective preparation intended for pre-sowing treatment of potatoes and soaking the roots of seedlings of tomatoes, cabbage, peppers, and eggplants. Active ingredients: imidacloprid, mancozeb. The protective effect lasts for 30-35 days.
"AS-Selective" is a complex drug with three active ingredients (thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, fludioxonil). Consumption – 30 ml per 400-500 ml of water, which is enough to treat 30 kg of planting tubers.
Pests and fungal diseases are the main enemies of a good harvest. Therefore, using the “Prestige” insecticide according to the instructions allows you to achieve a positive result without any special difficulties. Ignoring waiting periods and manufacturer's recommendations for using the product can be harmful to health.
Precautionary measures
Prestige from the Colorado potato beetle belongs to toxicity class 3 and can be harmful to humans. To avoid negative effects from use, the following rules should be followed:
- Before processing and preparing the working solution, wear rubber gloves, thick clothing made from natural materials and a hat.
- While working with the Colorado potato beetle insecticide, it is strictly forbidden to drink, smoke or eat food.
- At the end of work, send all clothes to the wash and take a shower.
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Prestige remedy for the Colorado potato beetle
When working with insecticide, keep children and pets away from the area. If the product gets on exposed skin or mucous membranes, they must be quickly rinsed with running water, then contact a specialist.
The toxic components of Prestige cannot cause harm if the solution is used correctly. It has been proven that toxic chemical compounds completely disintegrate 50 days after treatment and cannot harm human health.
“Prestige” belongs to the third class of toxicity, therefore, in order to avoid the occurrence of allergies and poisoning, compliance with safety measures is mandatory.
Security measures:
- Before preparing the product, you must wear a mask and gloves;
- It is not recommended to eat or drink while spraying tubers;
- after finishing spraying, it is advisable to wash and rinse your mouth;
- The tubers must be delivered to the planting site packed in bags.
If you follow all precautions, then there is no harm to humans from the product. Potatoes can be consumed 50 days after planting, during which time all harmful substances are completely decomposed and removed from the tubers.
It is not recommended to treat early potato varieties with Prestige disinfectant.
The drug Prestige belongs to the third class of toxicity. This means that it is, in principle, harmless to humans, but certain safety precautions should still be observed when using it.
When using Prestige, consider the following safety recommendations:
- Tubers that have been treated with the substance and will be transported must be wrapped in protective film before transportation.
- When processing tubers and when planting them in open ground, you need to wear a protective mask and gloves so that the substance does not accidentally come into contact with the skin or mucous membranes.
- Only those potato varieties that ripen no earlier than August can be treated with this preparation. Otherwise, the active substance simply will not have time to dissolve.
If you plan to grow early potato varieties, treating them with Prestige before planting is highly not recommended. The fact is that the active substance remains in the tubers for about two months, and when harvesting early potatoes, it will remain in the tubers.
The drug Prestige differs significantly from other chemical agents intended to combat potato diseases and pests. Its main difference is that the treatment is carried out not during a pest invasion, but before planting.
To do this, the substance is diluted in water, using the instructions on the package, and the tubers intended for planting are sprayed. Next, the planting material is allowed to dry and immediately planted in the ground.
This treatment results in the poison remaining in the tubers, and as they germinate, it rises to the above-ground parts of the plant and concentrates in the leaves. Colorado beetles, eating such leaves, quickly die, since the active ingredient in Prestige affects the nervous system of insects and leads to their paralysis. In addition, the drug additionally contains substances that protect potatoes from fungal diseases.
In this case, the substance does not accumulate in the soil and does not harm the crop, however, only mid-season and late varieties of potatoes are suitable for treatment.
The instructions for the drug say that the active substance completely leaves the tubers in about two months (50-60 days). This indicates that it is extremely undesirable to treat early potato varieties with this product, the harvest of which is already in June.
As a rule, the drug Prestige is used if no other means of protecting potatoes from the Colorado potato beetle have led to the desired result. This is due to the fact that the active substance is extremely toxic to insects, and one pre-planting treatment of tubers is enough to protect plants from pests throughout the season.
It should be borne in mind that the proven effectiveness of Prestige has led to the appearance of many counterfeits on the market with a similar packaging design and name. Unfortunately, the mechanism of action of such drugs is not precisely known, so you need to purchase chemicals only in specialized stores or from official representatives of the manufacturer. This way you will be sure that you bought exactly the drug Prestige.
How to store the drug
It is important to store chemical plant protection products correctly, and Prestige is no exception. The shelf life of the drug is 2 years. During this time, the components of the product do not lose their effectiveness, but for this you need to strictly follow the storage recommendations.
First of all, it is important to adhere to the temperature regime. The optimal range for the chemical is from -20 to +40 degrees. If you deviate from these indicators, Prestige may lose its effectiveness.
Despite the fact that the drug belongs to the third toxicity class and is considered relatively safe, it should not be stored near drinking water or food. It is also necessary to keep the product away from children, animals and flammable materials. All these requirements apply to the concentrate itself, and not to the working solution of the chemical. If you have prepared a mixture for processing, but have not used up all the liquid, it is not recommended to store it for the future. Firstly, the working solution will quickly lose effectiveness, and secondly, storing the chemical diluted in water can be potentially hazardous to health.
Consumption rate for different plants
Prestige is applied in the following proportions:
- For processing potato tubers. Dosage: 70-100 milliliters of the drug are diluted with 1-2 liters of water. 100 kilograms of tubers are treated with the solution. The product protects against the Colorado potato beetle, wireworm, aphids, and fungal diseases.
- For soaking the roots of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cabbage before planting. Dosage: 100 milliliters of the drug per 10 liters of water. The seedlings are treated before planting in the garden. Plant roots are placed in the working solution for 5-8 hours. The product protects against beetles, moths, wireworms, aphids, and fleas.
- For dressing the seeds of carrots, cabbage, and onions. Dosage: 10 milliliters of the drug per 1 liter of water. The seeds are placed in the solution for 30 minutes. Protects against cruciferous flea beetle, cabbage, carrot or onion flies, thrips.
- For soaking seedlings of fruit crops. Dosage: 15 milliliters of the drug per 1 liter of water. The solution is added to the humus mash. The roots of the seedlings are immersed in the solution for 2-3 hours before planting. The product protects against aphids, thrips, and scale insects.
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Where to apply
Carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, beets, radishes, daikon, parsnips, onions (except for onions), celery, garlic, cucumber, zucchini, eggplant, squash, watermelon, melon, pumpkin, peas, beans* More details Harmful object: Soil pests : May beetle larvae, mole crickets, cutworms, wireworms; sucking pests: aphids, thrips, leafhoppers, whiteflies. Rate of use of the drug: 10 liters per 10 m2 of row at the rate of 2 ml of the drug per 10 liters of water. Method, processing time, application features: During the growing season: water the plant at the root. When planting: add the solution to the hole during or after planting. Perennial flowers: phlox, iris, lily, tulip, chamomile, peony, hosta, fern, clematis, botanus* More Harmful objects: May beetle larvae, mole crickets, root rot. Rate of use of the drug: 10 liters per 10 m2 at the rate of 2 ml per 10 liters of water. Method, processing time, application features: During the growing season: water the plant at the root. When planting: Apply the solution to the soil at the time of planting. Seedlings of fruit and berry, ornamental trees and shrubs: hydrangea, lilac, almond, spirea, barberry, grapes, currants, gooseberries, sea buckthorn, blueberries, raspberries, lemongrass, actinidia, strawberries, red rowan, chestnut, birch, oak, maple, willow* More details Harmful object: May beetle larvae, mole crickets, root and basal rot. Rate of use of the drug: 10 liters of solution at the rate of 2 ml of the drug per 10 liters of water. Method, processing time, application features: During the growing season: apply the solution under a tree or bush. When planting: add the solution to the planting hole during or after planting. Potatoes More details Harmful object:
Colorado potato beetle, wireworm, aphids, rhizoctonia, scab.
Rate of use of the drug: 10 ml per 100 ml of water per 10 kg of tubers. Method, processing time, application features: On the day of planting, heated, sprouted tubers are poured into buckets onto film in 1-3 layers to determine the total weight of the tubers. Using any sprayer (backpack or small hand-held), the tubers are evenly treated with the solution and mixed thoroughly. 1-2 hours after drying, the tubers can be planted.
Reviews
Numerous positive reviews about Prestige prove the high effectiveness of the product.
Prestige Portiv Colorado potato beetle should be stored in a closed place and should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Permissible temperature range from -5 to 30 degrees Celsius. It is forbidden to store the prepared aqueous solution; it should be used on the day of preparation, so before starting work it is important to calculate the amount of product needed.
The remedy for the Colorado potato beetle “Prestige” is a leader among similar poisons. If all safety precautions are followed, the disinfectant is not dangerous to humans. The product saves not only from the Colorado potato beetle, but also from other pests, is easy to use, stimulates growth and increases potato yield.
Composition and dosage form
Protectant "Prestige, KS" is a two-component pesticide, contains IMIDACLOPRID , dosage 140 g/l. and PENCICURON , dosage 150g/l.
Chemical class - neonicotinoids + other substances.
The dosage form is suspension concentrate (CS). Packaged for agricultural production in 1 liter bottles. and 5 liter canisters, for the needs of private household plots in 20 ml dispensers. and bottles of 60 ml. and 150ml.
The registrant and manufacturer is German (Bayer CropScience AG). The drug is approved for use in the Russian Federation until September 17, 2029 (registration No. 019-01-2400-1).
Instructions for use
When working with chemicals, you need to wear a protective mask, overalls and rubber gloves. Do not drink or inhale vapors from the working solution. If the drug gets inside, you need to rinse the stomach and induce vomiting. After handling plants, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
The drug is available in the form of a concentrated liquid suspension, which is diluted with water immediately before use. The dosage depends on the method of application.
It is noteworthy that the product is used primarily for treating potatoes before planting. The vegetable itself does not suffer from this, and the active substance, dissolving in the soil, protects the planting material not only from pests, but also from fungal diseases. However, to achieve maximum effect, it is advisable to treat the soil and planting material together with neighbors so that pathogens and pest larvae do not spread from site to site.
Figure 1. Appearance of the original drug
Thus, it can be argued that Prestige is not only an effective insecticide, but also a fungicide that will help cope with many problems that arise in the process of growing potatoes.
The composition of the drug is such that its active ingredients not only protect tubers from negative environmental factors, but also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the planting material itself. Tubers treated with this product tolerate high temperatures and lack of moisture much better, grow much faster, and the finished crop has an attractive presentation.
The main difference between Prestige and other chemical products intended for processing agricultural crops is that it contains not one, but several active substances (Figure 1). The first substance, imidacloprid, is aimed at killing insects. Once inside the Colorado potato beetle's body, the chemical affects the beetle's nervous system, causing paralysis and death of the insect. The second substance, pencicuron, is a fungicide and protects tubers from powdery mildew and other fungal diseases.
Since Prestige is a chemical product, many fear that the active substances will remain in the tubers even after processing and will be contained in the crop. This opinion is erroneous, since all the chemical compounds that penetrate the tubers during processing rise up the tops as the plant grows, but do not penetrate the young formed tubers.
Before using the poison, you must carefully study the instructions for use. The procedure is carried out when planting potatoes. To do this, sprouted tubers are scattered onto the film, and the weight of the planting material is determined. A full ten-liter bucket is 8 kilograms of vegetables. Then a solution of the product is prepared.
The resulting solution is sprayed on all tubers, which are recommended to be mixed. For the best effect, at least ¾ of the surface of the potato is processed. After 2 hours, when the potatoes have dried, planting begins.
"Prestige" can be used to protect seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other nightshade crops. The root system of seedlings is soaked in the solution. For this purpose, a milliliter of the product is dissolved in 100 milliliters of water. After 8 hours, the plants can be planted. After this procedure, pests will not disturb the seedlings for a month.
The instructions for use include all the necessary information about using Prestige for treating potatoes before planting. If you have not yet purchased this product, you can always find this information in our article.
The manufacturer recommends strictly adhering to the dosage and consumption rates of the chemical. Only in this case will the use of the herbicide be effective, and the harvest harvested from the treated beds will be completely safe for human health.
Prestige belongs to drugs of toxicity class 3. This means that it is safe for human health, birds and animals, but certain precautions should still be taken when using it.
To prevent chemical poisoning, you must strictly adhere to personal safety equipment when working with the drug. Firstly, even before starting to work with the substance, you must wear thick protective clothing, gloves and a mask. This is necessary to ensure that the chemical does not accidentally come into contact with the skin, mucous membranes or inside the body.
Secondly, during the preparation of the working solution or during spraying, you should not eat, smoke or drink, since in this way the chemical can enter the respiratory tract and digestive organs, causing symptoms of poisoning.
In addition, after treatment you need to wash all clothes and take a shower. If this is not possible, you should thoroughly wash your face and hands with soap and rinse your mouth and nose with clean water.
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Since potato tubers are processed in the process of working with Prestige, the processing area must be covered with film or other dense material, the potatoes laid out on it and the processing carried out. After this, the solution should dry, and the planting material itself should be moved to the beds in plastic bags.
The dosage of Prestige depends on the method of processing and the type of planting material. If you are going to spray already sprouted potatoes, you need to dilute 50 ml of concentrate in 3 liters of water. If the potatoes are just being sent for germination, you will need a mixture of 25 ml of the chemical diluted in 0.5 liters of water (Figure 2).
After adding the drug to water, the resulting mixture must be thoroughly mixed so that all components dissolve. After this, the prepared working solution can be poured into a container with a spray bottle and processing can begin.
In addition, the chemical can be used to protect seedlings of other cultivated plants from pests. To do this, prepare a solution of 10 ml of the drug diluted in a liter of water. The roots of the seedlings are treated with this mixture, allowed to dry and planted in open ground.
Figure 2. Drug dosage
When using Prestige to protect potatoes from the Colorado potato beetle, it is important to consider that the drug is completely removed from the tubers in about two months. Therefore, it can only be used to treat varieties that ripen in August. Early potatoes, which are harvested in June, cannot be treated with Prestige, since the drug will not have time to be removed from them before the tubers are harvested.
A certain technology exists not only for preparing a working solution, but also for directly spraying planting material (Figure 3).
Proper processing of potatoes by Prestige is carried out as follows:
- Plastic film or other dense material that does not allow moisture to pass through is laid out on the ground or other flat surface.
- Potatoes are placed on the film. It is advisable to lay out the tubers in one layer so that all planting material is evenly treated with the chemical.
- The prepared tubers are sprayed from a sprayer, trying to ensure that the liquid settles on each potato. To increase the effectiveness of the drug and carry out uniform treatment, you can spray one side of the potatoes first, then let the product dry, turn the tubers over and repeat spraying.
Figure 3. Tuber processing technology
After the product has dried, the tubers can be planted in the ground. This should be done with gloves so that the chemical does not come into contact with the skin. If you need to transport planting material to the garden, it must be placed in film or film bags that are not used for storing or transporting food products.
How to use the product - instructions
According to the instructions for use, there are 2 ways to treat plants with poison against pests:
- Pre-planting treatment of potatoes.
- Soaking the root system of vegetable crops.
In some countries, the product is recommended to treat the seeds of carrots, radishes, onions, and cabbage to protect against cruciferous flea beetle, cabbage, onion or carrot flies.
To get a good potato harvest, you need to read the instructions for using the disinfectant and learn how to properly treat planting material with the product.
Processing of planting potato tubers
Processing of seed potatoes can be carried out 2-3 weeks before planting with further germination and warming of the tubers or immediately before sowing. Gardeners most often use the second method.
Before planting vegetables, prepare a working solution in the following ratio: 1 part poison equals 20 parts water or 100 ml of the drug per 1-2 liters of water.
The planting material is laid out evenly in one row, sprayed with the prepared liquid using a spray bottle, then the tubers are turned over to the other side to spray the working solution again. As soon as the tubers dry, they are planted in holes, especially for varieties with deep-set eyes.
The active ingredients are neutralized 2 months after treatment, so the drug is excellent for varieties that are harvested in August. If planting potatoes is planned for the 3rd or 4th decade of April, it is recommended to plant mid-early or mid-late varieties.
Soaking young vegetable seedlings
The poison is used for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cabbage, as well as ornamental, fruit and forest crops to protect against sucking, leaf-eating and soil pests. After treating the root mass, imidacloprid, which is part of the drug, after some time moves from the roots to the stem-leaf zone of the seedlings and retains its effect for 40-60 days.
Pencykuron remains in the roots and, when planted in the soil around the planted crop, creates a protective shell that prevents the spread of various fungal diseases for 30 days.
Before soaking the seedlings, you need to prepare a solution of light concentration: 1 part of the poison is diluted in 100 parts of water. The resulting mixture is mixed well and poured into a wide and shallow container. The roots of vegetable seedlings are immersed in the solution and left for 6-8 hours. After aging, the treated plants should be planted in the ground as quickly as possible.
Before planting fruit seedlings, you can make a mash for the roots.
The mixture includes:
- clay - 500 g;
- humus - 600 g;
- water - 0.8 l.
Shake 15 ml of the drug “Prestige”, add it to 0.8 liters of water, mix thoroughly, then make a mash until it has the consistency of sour cream. The resulting mixture should be homogeneous, not thick and not liquid. The volume is enough for 25-30 seedlings. Plants are immersed in the working mass and kept for some time. After treatment and subsequent planting in open ground, the roots take root better and suffer less pain.
Advantages and disadvantages of the drug
The remedy for the Colorado potato beetle "Prestige" has a number of advantages:
- acts effectively;
- no additional treatments are required, has a long-lasting effect, it is enough to spray the tubers once before planting and the plants will be protected for the whole summer;
- helps not only against the Colorado potato beetle, but also against other pests;
- has an anti-stress effect: increases the plant’s resistance to adverse weather conditions, various diseases, bacteria, increases productivity;
- convenient to use;
- accelerates the process of photosynthesis, which has a beneficial effect on the development of crops.
Among the disadvantages, one can note the toxicity of the drug. But if all safety measures are followed, it is not dangerous. Early varieties are not suitable for processing, since harmful substances disintegrate completely after 2 months. The price of the disinfectant is slightly higher than its analogues, but the quality of the product corresponds to its cost.
Advantages of the drug
“Prestige” from the Colorado potato beetle has the following advantages:
- The effect of the poison lasts for 40 days after processing and soaking the tubers and roots of seedlings of nightshade crops, so all pests are destroyed, both old harmful beetles in the soil and larvae hatched from eggs.
- Labor intensity when growing vegetables is reduced. The use of cheap poisons requires more frequent spraying; traditional methods and constant collection of beetles by hand do not guarantee high yields.
- Toxicity class - 3. This indicates the safety and environmental friendliness of the drug. The molecules of the active substances disintegrate in the soil, and the residues are neutralized. By the time the tubers are dug up, no toxic components are present, and the potatoes can be eaten. The drug does not harm beneficial insects or the environment.
- The solution consumption is minimal: 1 bottle per 100 ml can treat up to 100 kg of tubers.
- Simple and fast processing of seed material.
Prestige insecticide: composition and storage conditions
The insecticide contains chemical compounds aimed at combating insects and fungi. Therefore, it must be stored in a dark, dry room, not allowing the temperature in it to rise above 40 degrees or drop below -20 degrees. Violation of the storage temperature conditions may cause the active ingredients to lose their effectiveness.
Since the product is a chemical, it must be stored separately from food or water. Also, children or pets should not be allowed to have access to the drug.
The shelf life of the substance is 2 years, but the prepared working solution itself must be used immediately after preparation. As a rule, one bottle of the drug is enough to treat all tubers intended for planting, and Prestige is not stored until the next season.
The tuber processing technology is shown in more detail in the video.
Prestige must be used within 3 years from the date of issue. The concentrated suspension in plastic bottles is stored in a dark room at room temperature.
Analogues of the product
Analogues of "Prestige" include the following drugs:
- "Confidor" Bayer CropScience made in Germany.
- "Mospilan" - Nippon Soda.Co (Japan).
- "Aktara" - Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Switzerland.
- "Iskra Zolotaya" of domestic production.
Analogues of "Prestige" include the drug Mospilan.
They have an insecticidal-fungicidal effect and contain similar active ingredients that are effective against most parasites. The processing recipe for each drug may differ.
Benefits and harms from use
What harm does Prestige cause to human health? Many gardeners are of the opinion that this is not the safest means of protecting potatoes from pests and diseases, so they often refuse to use it. The main argument is that the tubers accumulate harmful substances and become unsuitable for consumption. In fact, the drug belongs to the third class of toxicity according to the classification of poisonous drugs of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation - “Prestige” is recognized as moderately dangerous.
Pencycuron undergoes a stage of photodegradation (disintegration into safe substances under the influence of ultraviolet radiation) on the soil surface and in water. In the process of studying the residual amount of imidacloprid, scientists were able to find out that the active substance spreads from the roots up through the green mass, without moving back, so young tubers do not suffer.
At the Research Institute of Environmental Hygiene named after. Medvedev, in the course of studying the effect of the active ingredients of “Prestige” on plants, managed to prove that 40-45 days after treatment there are no toxins in the tubers.
The benefits of using the chemical are undeniable. Potatoes are reliably protected from fungal diseases and attacks by insect pests, while remaining safe for consumption.
Advantages of Prestige insecticide
Various insecticides have been used in vegetable growing for a long time, but the appearance of Prestige has changed the traditional attitude of gardeners to such drugs.
Advantages:
- low toxicity (Class III);
- Frequent treatments are not required;
- validity period – up to 40 days;
- high efficiency against the Colorado potato beetle, as well as fungi and microbes;
- acceleration of the process of photosynthesis, and therefore the development and growth of crops;
- stability of the composition to light, moisture;
- rapid penetration into plant tissue, causing them to become toxic to insects, but safe for humans.
Composition of the drug "Prestige"
The main active components of the dressing are pencycuron and imidacloprid. The Baer Corporation has patented a unique combination, so cheaper analogues do not have the same effectiveness. All substances are poisonous, but after 40 days they begin to decompose, gradually leaving the crop. After 50 days, the product no longer contains any remaining connecting elements.
The drug is classified as a medium toxic product (class 3), all work is carried out in protective clothing. Fungicidal components slow down the development of fungi and reduce the supply of nutrients to the mycelium. The insecticidal component of the product blocks the nerve impulses of pests. When used correctly, after 40 days no dangerous chemical elements are found in root vegetables and green mass.
The drug is released in the form of a suspension, which is diluted to the desired concentration with water. Thanks to the patented composition, the poison hardens on the surface of the seed in the form of a thin film. During the specified time, chemicals are not washed off from plants treated according to the instructions during irrigation and do not decompose under the influence of natural vagaries (frost, heat).
Packaging options are designed for volumes from 10 ml to 5 liters.