BASF launched Veltyma, a new foliar fungicide that tackles potatoes’ three most challenging diseases, just last year. As a potato farmer myself, I can confidently say it’s a game changer on our farm.
Veltyma offers the best available control of both early blight, which is arguably the most prevalent and costly potato disease across the country, and black dot, which is increasingly widespread. It also offers suppression on brown spot.
The fungicide contains two active ingredients: Pyraclostrobin (Group 11) and Mefentrifluconazole (Group 3). While other Group 3 – Group 11 combination products exist on the market and certain other available fungicides tackle the same list of disease, Veltyma is a step ahead in efficacy. In fact, third party trials show Veltyma consistently outperforms all competitors in managing all three major diseases.
What makes it so unique? First, Veltyma’s Group 3 is a new, third-generation Group 3. Powered by Revysol, it offers stronger binding activity than any other Group 3 on the market, leading to greater efficacy against resistant pathotypes, especially of early blight.
Second, Veltyma’s Pyraclostrobin active is a unique Group 11 on the market today offering plant health benefits. Specifically, Pyraclostrobin is shown to help potato plants withstand stressors like heat and drought. When applied at tuber initiation, Veltyma helps potato plants grow more tubers. When applied slightly later in the season, Veltyma supports tuber size-up.
One of the biggest challenges I and other potato producers face is that potatoes’ most problematic foliar diseases – early blight, black spot and brown dot – can be extremely difficult to tell apart in-field. While each disease does carry some identifying markers, all three diseases’ main feature is black spotting on potato leaves. To make identification and management even more frustrating, two and even all three diseases often act together as a disease complex. I’ve heard my husband say a dozen times or more: “I don’t care which of the diseases is causing the spots in our fields; I just want something that’ll take care of them all.”
Veltyma is exactly that kind of product. Offering control of all three diseases, Veltyma offers efficacy and convenience without the cost, time and frustration of sending disease samples to a lab for identification. Anything that makes decision making easier and more convenient is a win on our farm. I appreciate having one go-to product that we have confidence will cover what we need.
Veltyma is designed as a first round, ‘heavy lifter’ fungicide. When applied prior to or at row closure, Veltyma protects each plant from top to bottom. For best results when conditions are right for significant disease pressure, Veltyma can be applied a second time two weeks after the first application. The product is user-friendly and tank mixes well with insecticides and other fungicides.
Veltyma is another example of BASF’s commitment to innovation. Expect more innovation ahead: BASF is constantly working to bring the most diverse and effective portfolio possible to agricultural producers.
I love talking about Veltyma. It has made a notable difference to peace of mind and production on our farm. If you’d like to learn more, visit our website.
