Growers can use a key seed treatment to manage black scurf in potatoes for one more planting season, allowing time to try out an alternative approach.

The Chemicals Regulation Division has confirmed that farmers can buy and use Emesto Prime DS (penflufen) up to the end of June 2021.

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The seed treatment is a key tool for protecting potato crops against seed-borne Rhizoctonia solani, which causes stem and stolon canker and black scurf in potatoes.

Back in June, the EU announced the withdrawal of the product, but potato growers were uncertain whether it would be available for the 2021 planting season.

Edward Hagues, Bayer root crop campaign manager, says by allowing its use for another season, growers can be confident that Rhizoctonia solani will not pose an undue risk next year.

Growers have already lost Monceren (pencycuron), another powder seed treatment used for rhizoctonia control. This means after June 2021, there will be just one on-planter powder seed treatment option left in RhiNo DS (flutolanil).

The final date for the sale, supply, storage, disposal and use will be 30 June 2021. There will be no changes to the maximum residue limit for Emesto Prime DS, so 2021 treated crops will continue to be marketable after this date.