b'the treatments, he says. We also looked at potato yield after harvest. Both bio-But, of course, the results are not that consistent, he concluded. It is fumigation and chemical fumigation resulted in significant yield increase over theaffected by many factors, such as the level of glucosinolate of the mustard, incor-control, but no significant yield difference was detected between the biofumigationporation methods and timing, soil types, soil temperature and humidity.and chemical fumigation treatments. Syngenta Canada adds that certain crop management factors can also affect Biofumigants do more than protect crops, though. They also contribute toearly dying. The company advises growers to avoid early irrigation, and to not organic carbon in the soil, which, in turn, improves microbial communities. Chensirrigate during early flowering/tuber initiation. They also advise growers to avoid colleagues Louis-Pierre Comeau and Claudia Goyer are looking into the effect ofnutrient deficiencies and compaction, and limit cross contamination of soil from biofumigation on soil health and microbial community.unclean machinery.In a second study initiated in 2019, Chen and his colleagues are evaluatingVarieties have different levels of susceptibility to PED. According to Syngenta the effect of biofumigation on suppressing diseases and improving potato yield inCanada, the following have been identified:different commercial fields with high levels of PED to confirm the results obtained in the first project cycle. Very Susceptible: Kennebec, SuperiorFrom our results we do see benefits, but biofumigation is not an easy or sim- Susceptible: Atlantic, Norland, Red Pontiac, Russet Norkotah, Shepodyple task because the timing for the incorporation of the mustard into the soil wasModerately Susceptible: Envol, Russet Burbank, Shepodyimpacted by timing, soil moisture levelsall these things affected the results ofModerately Resistant: Chieftain, Goldrush, Krantz, Umatillabiofumigation, he says. Resistant: Alturas, Ranger Russet Using mustard as a biofumigant is a process. When the crop reaches 50 per cent flowering, it must be cut and incorporated into the soil, explains Chen. For bestThere are a few chemicals registered in Canada that claim to control Verticil-results, freshly chopped mustard crop should be incorporated into the soil within 30lium, says Borza. Senator PSPT with the active ingredient Thiophanate-methyl is minutes, he says, and the soil must be carefully compacted to trap the gas in the soil.sold in Canada by Engage-Agro. Syngenta offers Aprovia and Elatus. Nematodes,This step is very important, says Chen. including Pratylenchus, can be controlled by Bayers Velum.The researchers planted two crops in a season, one in early spring and one inTheir efficiency is tested in various places, including by us, says Borza.the fall. This has been shown to reduce Verticillium pathogen load, as well as theCrop rotation can also be used to prevent disease, however rotation and weed counts of root lesion nematode P. penetrans.control will not eradicate Verticillium once it is present in fields.Biofumigants offer other benefits as well, says Chen. In Prince Edward Island, growers use them to suppress disease and to control insects, like wireworm. Track Inventory and Truck Loads with the RiteWeight Digital Conveyor Scale systemSpuds InSpuds Out T rack by Field, Variety, Storage Bin, and by Date. Real-time map & report as you fill bins. Know the origin (field, date, etc.) at shipping. Optional infra-red sensor displays, records, and maps incoming product temperature.Several data storage and transfer options: 1) Copy to optional ruggedized USB;2) Wireless transfer using Bluetooth andandroid phone or tablet; 3) Wireless upload to Greentronics cloud server. Access secure server with valid username andpassword to view/download/share maps and reports.Please visit www.greentronics.com or contact us for details at 519-669-469842 SPUDSMART.COM WINTER 2020'