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.
What will Prestige protect against? What can be treated with the drug?
Prestige not only destroys striped beetles and their larvae, but also works against other harmful insects that encroach on the crops of summer residents.
It is a mordant with insecticidal and fungicidal effects. These properties help the drug protect against homoptera and lepidoptera insects. The drug "Prestige" helps against such insects and diseases as wireworms, thrips, psyllids, apple scab, aphids and about 50 other types of pests.
Photo of the drug “Prestige” for the Colorado potato beetle
The product “Prestige” fights fungal diseases (powdery mildew, mold, brown rust and others). In addition, the drug contains a growth stimulant that increases crop yields, helping plants grow faster and develop better.
According to consumer reviews of Prestige, the high price is justified by its good efficiency. Once you start using the product, you can forget about the monotonous work of collecting Colorado beetles every day by hand.
Traditional methods
If you want to grow an environmentally friendly potato crop, you can resort to folk remedies and safe techniques. For example, experienced gardeners know that the Colorado potato beetle does not like the smell of cilantro, beets, garlic, calendula, and legumes. To repel the pest, these plants can be planted between potato rows or alternate beds.
Wood ash is popularly used to process seed tubers. It is better if the material is obtained from burning birch, but if this is not available, then other wood will do just fine. The tubers are sprinkled with ash right before planting. This protection prevents potatoes from rotting and developing diseases. And the remains of onion peel, added to the hole during planting, will save the tubers from being eaten by underground pests. Perhaps, in terms of effectiveness, traditional methods are not quite as effective as the Prestige drug, but they allow you to grow completely safe and healthy potatoes.
Prestige: advantages and features of the drug
Prestige makes the life of gardeners easier and easier.
Due to its beneficial qualities, it has many advantages over other insecticides:
- Easy to use, does not require lengthy preparation for work;
- Long period of exposure, which does not require repeated spraying on the foliage and manual collection of beetles;
- One bottle is enough to process a large potato field or 60 kg of seed material;
- The complex effect of the composition, which helps protect against pests and microorganisms that reduce the yield and its quality;
- Toxins do not reach potato tubers and do not harm human health;
- The poison in Prestige does not pose a danger to people, since it completely decomposes after a month and a half.
The drug has no disadvantages, except for the price, but it is justified.
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.
How to use Prestige - instructions for use
The instructions for using Prestige describe 2 methods for using the drug: spraying planting material and soaking the roots of seedling vegetables. The methods require different technologies for making the solution. Treatment of seed material with Prestige against the Colorado potato beetle is carried out on the day the potatoes are planted in the field.
Photo of spraying planting material
To enhance the effect on pests, many gardeners try to combine several drugs and dilute them together. But before doing this, they check the products for compatibility with the Prestige fungicide.
Important!
A small amount of both drugs is diluted together and checked, if a precipitate appears, it means that they are incompatible and cannot be used at the same time.
Precautionary measures
To avoid the toxic effects of the drug on the human body when using it, it is recommended to observe the following safety measures:
- prepare and apply the solution wearing protective clothing and gloves, and in windy weather, wearing a mask or respirator and safety glasses;
- if the solution gets on the skin, wash it off with running water and soap;
- if the solution gets on the mucous membranes or in the eyes, rinse them with running water for at least 10 minutes; if swelling or burning occurs, it is recommended to consult a doctor;
- If the solution enters the digestive tract, gastric lavage, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking absorbents are recommended.
The use of the drug near open water bodies and near apiaries is not allowed. Do not smoke while processing planting material.
How does Prestige work when it gets into plants?
The principle of action of the drug Prestige is such that the product spreads only in the vertical direction throughout the plants, coming from the tubers to the tops,
protecting seed material and shoots from Colorado potato beetles and other harmful insects.
Testing the effectiveness of the drug Prestige - video
Therefore, you don’t have to worry that the fungicide will end up in the young harvest. It is noted that after about 50 days the product is no longer contained in planted potatoes.
Prestige is a contact fungicide; it spreads to planting material and the surrounding soil. Plants are protected from Colorado potato beetles for almost 2 months from the date of treatment.
Biological preparation for the garden!
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Concomitant use with other drugs
The drug can be combined with fertilizers. To determine the compatibility of two products, take one part of each and mix with 20 parts of water. If you notice precipitation, do not use these drugs together.
Many gardeners are interested in whether it is possible to mix Tabu and Prestige preparations. It is allowed to use these products together, but it is pointless to do so, since the products have the same active ingredients.
Prestige is compatible with fertilizers
Processing of planting potato tubers
How to treat potatoes with Prestige against the Colorado potato beetle will be discussed below. Prestige is highly concentrated and requires dilution with water to the required volume. Before spraying the tubers, calculate how many seeds will be needed. They are laid out on oilcloth with their sprouts facing up and the solution begins to be prepared.
Photo of spraying potato tubers
Important!
To treat 10 kg of seed potatoes, you will need 10 ml of the Prestige drug against the Colorado potato beetle. It is diluted in 100 ml of water and poured into a spray container.
Convenient to use with household spray bottles. Such bottles will help to spray the product evenly over the potatoes without skipping. This must be done from a distance of no less than 30 cm. After this, the potato seeds are left to dry for several hours so that the poison is well absorbed. Now you can plant potatoes in the ground.
Treatment of planting tubers with Prestige and planting potatoes - video
Safety precautions
"Prestige" is classified as class three in terms of toxicity. Such substances are harmful to the human body. To reduce the effect of the drug, it is necessary to follow safety rules during the preparation and use of the substance. To do this, put gloves on your hands, wear rubber boots, and you will also need respiratory protection. Clothing should cover the entire body, a protective face mask and a hat will also be useful.
The procedure should only be carried out in calm weather. This way, the substance will not get into the surrounding plants or animals. At the end of the procedure, all clothes are washed, as well as equipment. Then you need to thoroughly rinse your nose and throat. Be sure to take a shower.
Attention! During treatment, do not smoke, drink water or eat under any circumstances.
Processing seedlings with Prestige by soaking the roots
When planting seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants in a permanent place, their roots are treated in the “Prestige” solution. This helps protect against pests, prevent diseases and increase yield. To obtain a solution of the required concentration, use a medical syringe. For 1 liter of water take 1 cube of the product.
Photo of processing seedlings by soaking roots
Important!
Prestige is used to treat seedlings of tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, cabbage and other vegetables.
Do this with rubber gloves. The toxic liquid is poured into a container and the roots of the plants are dipped into it for 5-6 hours. The stems should not touch the product. If there are a lot of seedlings, use shallow but wide dishes, for example, a basin up to 10 cm high.
Prestige treatment will help protect eggplants and tomatoes from Colorado beetles, cabbage from flea beetles, and peppers from aphids. The product contains additives that help prevent the development of late blight and other diseases in nightshade crops. The drug remains in the plant stems, breaking down after 40 days. It is not stored in plants until the fruits ripen.
How to dilute Prestige for processing: potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, eggplant, fruit and berry crops
Properties of the drug
Prestige – potato protectant. It is used to treat tubers before planting. Thanks to this procedure, the gardener can forget about the problems associated with growing nutritious root vegetables. Among the properties of the drug:
- Insecticidal. The product creates an impenetrable barrier against pests. As a result, the potatoes are not attacked by sucking and gnawing parasites. Prestige is detrimental to mole crickets, flea beetles, potato moths, wireworms, aphids, and midges. The most important thing is that the Colorado potato beetle will not touch the bush;
- Fungicidal. Thanks to its fungicidal properties, Prestige destroys pathogens and also protects the crop from pathogenic microorganisms. Processed potatoes or seeds of other vegetables will not catch rot, rhizoctonia, brown rust, septoria, powdery mildew;
- Accelerating culture growth. Many gardeners call Prestige a fertilizer for potatoes. This is partly true. It increases the immunity of the crop, making it more resistant to stressful weather situations (heat, drought, sudden temperature changes, cold snap). Prestige stimulates bush growth and tuber formation.
Accelerating culture growth
According to reviews from summer residents, the chemical increases productivity by 1.5-2 times. Due to the fact that the plant does not get sick and is not attacked by harmful insects, the potato tuber has an excellent presentation. Root crops grow large and without damage.
Precautions when working with the solution
Being an insecticide, Prestige from the Colorado potato beetle belongs to class 3 danger and must be used in compliance with strict rules. Do not spray the product on the skin, nose or mouth.
. Work is carried out in personal protective equipment. They use a respirator and rubber gloves, put on special shoes that completely cover their feet, and clothing. You cannot eat, drink or smoke while spraying poison.
Personal protective equipment - photo
After completing the treatment procedure, you must take a shower. Things are washed, shoes are washed with soap. If the treatment of tubers is not carried out in the field where they will be planted, they are delivered to the site in tightly closed bags. By following safety rules, the risk of poisoning and allergic reactions is minimized, and the procedure is quick and unnoticeable.
Question from readers: is the Prestige product capable of harming humans or animals?
— The annotation from the manufacturer Bayer states that when used correctly, the drug “Prestige” is safe for humans and animals.
Brochure from the manufacturer Prestige
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.
Composition of "Prestige" and available forms of the product
The manufacturer offers the drug in the form of a strong concentration emulsion. It contains 2 substances: imidacloprid 140 g/l and pencycuron 150 g/l, which have a contact effect.
Pencykuron is a pesticide.
It fights fungal diseases that attack plants.
Imidocloprid
works at high speed, affecting pests and paralyzing the nervous system.
The combined use of two products increases the effect several times
.
The poison in Prestige is highly toxic to insects and fungi and moderately toxic to humans. Plants do not feel the effects of the product, it does not affect them.
Manufacturers offer Prestige bottles of different sizes: 60, 150 and 500 ml. For small areas of potato plantings, you can buy 30 ml of the product in a bag, and for seedlings - a blister syringe with a capacity of 6 ml. All preparations are accompanied by instructions with a recipe for using Prestige for various crops in the garden. The expiration date and safety precautions are indicated.
Photos of Prestige bottles of different sizes
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"
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Analogues of the product "Prestige" for processing potatoes and other plants
Similar products to “Prestige” with the same components, but in a different concentration, are: “Bator”, “Rector”, “Tanger”. They can also cause harm to the health of people and animals, and must be used with caution.
In addition to these drugs, Aktara, Confidor, Komandor, Antrakol, Tanrek, Mospilan and Actellik are popular among gardeners.
Questions from readers: What is Prestige KS for?
The drug Prestige KS is another product developed by Bayer for treating potatoes against harmful insects: Colorado potato beetles, wireworms, leafhoppers, aphids, thrips, moths, flea beetles, and beetle larvae. It combines not only fungicidal protection, but also provides the effect of additional growth stimulation.
Photo of the drug Prestige KS
Mechanism of action of the product
So, what happens next? The drug, when it gets into wet soil, begins to act quickly, the substance spreads throughout the soil around the potatoes and forms a protective “wall”.
When the young plant begins to sprout, it absorbs this product through its roots, which is evenly distributed around the planted treated potatoes. Then the protective substance rises through the cells of the young shoot and immediately manifests its functions:
- provides protection against harmful insects during the growing season
- stops attacks of various fungal diseases
- helps the young tuber to withstand various natural stresses: heat, cold, lack of sunlight
Thanks to these properties of the drug, the plant improves its growth and brings high yield results. Studies have shown that the toxic substance, while in the plant, does not penetrate into new young tubers. Those. the poison is found only around the old planted tuber and in young shoots; it will not get into new tubers.
Studies have proven that the product does not penetrate new tubers
Prestige from the Colorado potato beetle: reviews of those who used the product
Insect pests are an eternal problem for every summer resident. And everyone solves it in their own way, some try to cope with folk remedies or with their own hands, but this does not always help, unfortunately. To protect their plantings from harmful beetles, they use Prestige in their gardens and gardens.
Reviews of some of them about the use of the drug Prestige are presented below.
Not all reviews are positive, since prestige is still a chemical agent, the use of which can also lead to negative consequences for plants.
Olga, Tyumen:
“I’ve been treating potatoes with prestige before planting for several years now. prestige helps against the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm; this problem has always been relevant for us. Previously, we used other means, constantly sprayed potato bushes, several times over the summer - the effect was much weaker than using Prestige.”
Photos of dead Colorado potato beetles on prestige-treated potatoes
Anna, Lipetsk:
“I doubt that the product does not accumulate in young potatoes at all, I tried to use it and it really works, but I am too worried that the Prestige poison is harmful to humans, the manufacturer classifies the product as hazard class 3.”
Yulia, Volgograd region:
“The manufacturer promises that the Prestige product will save us from all the troubles with potatoes for the entire season. It really works, it lasts about a month. This gives the young plants the opportunity to grow and get stronger, but then the Colorado potato beetles appeared again and began to eat our potato tops. Colorado beetle larvae also hatched and ate all the bushes. Therefore, I’m not sure that such a powerful chemistry as Prestige for the Colorado potato beetle is a good solution to this problem.”
Antonina, Kazan:
“We grow potatoes for sale, so collecting insects by hand is not suitable for us. We have been using “Prestige against the Colorado potato beetle” for the second year now and are satisfied - the product is effective against insect pests, protects potatoes, and the annotation states that it does not accumulate in young potatoes.”
Record harvests with Prestige
Before writing this article, I visited many forums and gardening communities. And what did I learn? Forums for farmers and gardeners are full of enthusiastic reviews of the results of using the Prestige disinfectant. Those who grow potatoes and vegetable crops on an industrial scale speak especially eloquently about it, and, therefore, issues of environmental cleanliness are not in the first place.
In such farms, the main focus is, of course, the yield and the amount of processing costs. As practice shows, using “Prestige” for treating seed potatoes, potato growers save not only money, but also labor costs. Since the drugs to which the pests have already adapted require several treatments during the growing season.
Homemade chemicals against wireworms
It is recommended to use chemical agents against wireworms in potatoes directly during the process of planting the vegetable. The insecticide must be added directly to the hole. You can use such products before plowing the area. It's easy to prepare poison with your own hands. A thin layer of superphosphate in granules is applied to the oilcloth. A total of 5 kg of the drug is needed.
The preparation of this composition against a malicious pest in potatoes is supplemented with a “killer” mixture. This chemical consists of:
- 80 ml water;
- 200 ml of acetone;
- pesticide.
Chemical agents against wireworms are used when planting potatoes.
The last component of the mixture is used optionally. This could be Decis Extra in a volume of 4 ml. You can use “Karate” (1 ml) or “Aktellik” (15 ml). The resulting preparation should be sprayed with superphosphate on the oilcloth. The workpiece is dried outside in the shade. Then it is laid out throughout the land plot. The consumption of the specified volume of substances is approximately 100 square meters. m. Then the ground must be dug up immediately.
Among other chemicals that can actively and successfully combat wireworms that have settled in potatoes, preparations with diazonin help well. These are “Provotox” and “Bazudin”. The first drug is used in a volume of 40 g per 1 kg. “Bazudin” is calculated at 100 g per 1 kg.
Attention! Using any drug repeatedly soon becomes ineffective, as the pest gets used to it.
Lime, chalk, ash and other wireworm repellents
You can fight wireworms that have infected potato plantings using ash. When planting a crop in a hole, you need to add quite a lot of this product. Some gardeners claim that they only need 1 large spoon per hole, and the pest is gone. In fact, this is most likely a false statement. It is optimal to use at least a full scoop of ash for each hole.
Adding ash when planting potatoes
Liming the soil is no less effective. Using this product helps get rid of wireworms in potatoes. To do this, it is recommended to sprinkle lime over the entire surface of the area. You can add this product to each hole during the planting process. Chalk and ground eggshells are used in a similar way.
Manganese solution is another great remedy. They are recommended to pickle the holes in the spring, before planting the tubers. Nettle infusion also helps. For 10 liters of water, use 500 g of dry product. You can also use dandelion decoction. For the same volume of liquid you need to use 200 g of the plant. The resulting amount of composition is enough for 20 holes. After a week, the treatment should be repeated 2-3 times.
