|
|
This update brings together key information to help you make confident, informed decisions throughout the potato growing season.
Tackling potato late blight in 2026 | Corteva solutions for potato growers: Zorvec active; Zorvec Entecta; Option; Titus; BlueN | Learn & earn CPD points | First edition of Follow the Crop 2026 | See you at Cereals 2026 | Want to hear more from us?
|
|
|
Tackling potato late blight in 2026: Resistance update & fungicide programme best practice guidance
Potato late blight control is becoming increasingly complex in 2026, with the loss of key multi-site fungicide mancozeb and growing pressure from resistant strains. As Craig Chisholm, Field Technical Manager for Fungicides at Corteva Agriscience, and Dr Faye Ritchie, Plant Pathologist at RSK ADAS, highlight, these changes are shifting the focus away from individual product choice and towards building more resilient, well-structured fungicide programmes.
In this evolving landscape, protecting the long-term performance of available chemistry is critical. Growers are encouraged to take a programme-led approach, prioritising diversity across modes of action and avoiding over-reliance on any single chemistry. Carefully mixing and alternating fungicides can help reduce selection pressure and slow the development of resistance within the pathogen population.
A strong programme also starts with the right foundations. Cultural control measures, such as managing volunteers and outgrade piles, using high-quality seed, and creating a clean starting point, all play a vital role in reducing early disease pressure. From there, maintaining a consistent, preventative spray strategy is essential to keep crops protected throughout the season.
Read the full article or click to watch the video with Corteva's Craig Chisholm and RSK ADAS's Dr Faye Ritchie below to find out more.
|
|
|
|
|
Potato crop solutions from Corteva
Corteva's range of solutions for potato growers includes:
Scroll down to find out more about each of these products and how Corteva can support you in maximising your potato yield.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zorvec active is the first active ingredient of its kind - a member of a novel class of fungicides that control diseases caused by oomycetes acting at a unique site within the pathogen. Inside the plant it moves systemically to protect new growth as it emerges and develops.
Key benefits:
- Unique site of activity: contains FRAC Group 49 chemistry.
- Outstanding efficacy: offers robust control on a 7-day spray interval, even during rapid growth phase of crop.
- Systemic activity: systemic movement of Zorvec active enables uniform protection even for portions of leaves receiving partial spray coverage.
See below for Zorvec containing products available to UK growers.
|
|
Formulation: Suspo-emulsion (SE) containing 240 g/l amisulbrom + 48 g/l oxathiapiprolin - FRAC Group 21 + 49 fungicides respectively.
Recommended rate: 0.25L/ha
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option contains cymoxanil which has been the backbone of the UK blight programmes for many years and continues to provide invaluable curative activity – up to 2 days kickback. It can be combined with other active ingredients (AI) at any stage of the blight programme right up to harvest with its 1 day pre-harvest interval. Cymoxanil (FRAC Group 27) offers an alternative mode of action (MoA) in addition to curative activity as part of an anti-resistance strategy in mixture with a fungicide partner. This is of particular value for single AI products.
Formulation: Water dispersible granule (WDG) containing 600 g/kg cymoxanil.
Key benefits:
- Option contains cymoxanil, which is locally systemic and offers both preventative and curative control.
- It must only be applied in tank mix with specified formulations of partner blight materials.
- By using Option as a mixing partner, this will support an anti-resistance strategy reducing the selection and build-up of resistant strains of fungi.
|
|
|
|
Titus is the mainstay of early season post-emergence weed control in potatoes. Typically applied when weeds break through residual programmes or germinate late. Best control is achieved when weeds are small and actively growing (between 2-4 true leaves). Titus has activity on a wide range of difficult broad-leaved weeds, such as cleavers, chickweed, redshank, mayweed, brassica weeds and volunteer oilseed rape. It also has some excellent activity on some grasses, notably couch.
Formulation: 250 g/kg rimsulfuron
Application timing: In the spring pre-emergence of the crop up until the crop is 25 cm high. Best control is achieved when weeds are small and actively growing (cotyledon to 2 true leaves).
Application method: Sprayer
Key benefits:
- Suitable for use on all potato varieties excluding seed crops.
- Broad spectrum of activity including difficult broad-leaved weeds and grasses.
- It can be tank mixed with metribuzin (on metribuzin tolerant varieties only), for improved control of knotgrass, fat hen and speedwells. However, mixtures with metribuzin will be antagonistic in terms of cleaver control.
- Use with Vivolt at 0.1% v/v when applied alone or in a tank mix.
|
|
|
|
BlueN provides a crop with a unique way to capture nitrogen throughout the season, helping plants reach their yield potential.
Contains: Methylobacterium symbioticum.
Pack size: 3 kg
Recommended rate: 333 g/ha
Maximum no. of applications: 1 application per crop.
Application timing: When the crops are meeting in the row.
Application method: Foliar with sprayer.
Rainfast: 1 hour
Key benefits:
Enhanced plant growth and marketable yield.
- BlueN enhances plant growth by acquiring atmospheric nitrogen and increases nutrient efficiency in the plant. This process occurs throughout the growing season, resulting in consistent marketable yield increases.
Provides a sustainable source of nitrogen.
- BlueN meets changing market expectations by providing a supplementary and sustainable source of nitrogen, without the risk of leaching or releasing additional greenhouse gases. BlueN ensures the plant has access to nitrogen during critical growth phases all season long.
|
|
|
Download the printable portfolio solutions document from our online potatoes hub, or click the image below.
|
|
|
|
Learn and earn CPD points!
|
|
|
|
Follow the Crop 2026
Craig Chisholm gives the first update of the season from an Innovator potato crop in North Yorkshire. With emergence underway and recent rainfall encouraging weed growth, Craig outlines timely post-emergence weed control options using Titus, including tank mixing with metribuzin where appropriate. He also discusses the importance of planning ahead to the late blight programme, highlighting the role of a cymoxanil-containing rosette spray, such as Option, to ensure a clean start to the season. Stay tuned for the next update covering blight control during the rapid growth phase.
|
|
|
|
See you at Cereals 2026
We’re counting down to Cereals 2026 at Diddly Squat Farm, where we’ll be showcasing our latest innovations, insights and practical advice for the season ahead.
The official crop plot day gave an excellent snapshot of progress, and the event is shaping up to deliver two standout days packed with ideas, technology and expertise.
Secure your ticket here and read our full article to get a preview of what we have planned.
|
|
Photo: Alex Nichols, Corteva Marketing Manager, Charlie Ireland, Managing Partner, Ceres Rural (Cereals Event Agronomy), Joe Martin, Corteva Field Technical Manager.
|
|
|
Want to hear more from us?
Update your preferences and tailor your choices to make sure you receive the communications that are right for you. Don't forget to enter into our monthly prize draw by ticking the box before submitting to be in with the chance to win!
You can also stay in the loop with all the latest updates by following @CortevaUK on X and Facebook.
|
|
|
Get in touch with our hotline team
|
|
USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label. Corteva Agriscience UK Limited, Unit H4, Building H, Melbourn Science Park, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire SG8 6HB. Tel: 01462 457272. ®, ™ Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist. All manufacturers tradenames and trademarks are duly acknowledged. Zorvec Entecta™ contains amisulbrom and oxathiapiprolin. Option® contains cymoxanil. Titus® contains rimsulfuron. BlueN™ contains Methylobacterium symbioticum |