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Nematicide StewardshipA GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE

DuPont™ Vydate 10G

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INTRODUCTIONDuPont Crop Protection promotes effective stewardshipthroughout its product range, from product manufacturethrough to final use and beyond. Stewardship supports sustainable agriculture, helps to maintain the environmentand safeguards user and public health.

VYDATE® 10G is an essential product for the production ofpotatoes and other root crops however as with other nematicides it must be used with care.

• All nematicides are classified as Harmful to Health.

• All nematicides are classified as Dangerous for the environment.

DuPont supports nematicide stewardship and the correctuse of VYDATE® 10G by providing training workshops for operators, BASIS advisors and farm managers as well undertaking an extensive on-farm programme of granularequipment calibrations, ensuring that the correct applicationrates are applied. Today VYDATE® 10G is used on over50,000 ha of crops in the UK.

The stewardship of VYDATE® 10G has two main objectives:

1. Maximise the benefits derived from product use.

2. Minimise the potential risks to the environment, operators and consumers.

VYDATE® 10G is the only carbamate granular insecticidemarketed in the UK. It provides effective control of potatocyst and free living nematodes.

It is the only approved nematicide to suppress free-living nematodes (FLN) that damage sugar beet, carrots, andparsnips.

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The VYDATE® 10G product label and product manual insertprovide definitive information on the application rates, machinery settings and product timings and must be readbefore using the product. However these Stewardshipguidelines offer further information to the grower, managerand user, providing the necessary information to achieve themost from the product in terms of pest control, environmental protection and user safety.

Critical considerations prior to applying VYDATE® 10GIt is a requirement that the operator is legally qualified (NPTCPA4 or PA4g) to apply nematicides. This is the responsibilityof both the farm manager and operator.

Have you read the product label and understood the environmental and operator safety statements?

Completing COSHH (HSE website) and environmental riskassessments may suggest engineering solutions that willminimise risk to both environment and operator.

Is the machinery available to ensure that granules arefully incorporated within the soil at time of application?

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ENROL IN THE VYDATE® 10G STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMMEThe Vydate Stewardship Programme (VSP) was initiated in2002 following consultation with growers and the potato industry.

It has a single aim, to ensure that growers are adopting best practice in the use of VYDATE® 10G and to help themdemonstrate this to their market customers.

DuPont believes that nearly all VYDATE® 10G users are now enrolled in the programme and as such will receive regular updates on the use of VYDATE® 10G, invitations to stewardship workshops and on farm support services.

If you are not enrolled, please call DuPont on (01438)734450 to become part of the programme.

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CONTENTS

ENHANCING PEST CONTROL – Maximise the benefits 6

Potato 7• Accurately assess the nematode population 7• Maximising the benefits of VYDATE® 10G use 8

Carrots, Parsnips and Sugar Beet 12• Ensuring accurate application 12

APPLICATOR CALIBRATION – Maximise the benefits 13

ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY – Minimise the potential risks 14

• Risk to wildlife and birds 14• Risk to surface water 16

SAFEGUARDING THE OPERATOR – Minimise the potential risks 18

• Safe working conditions 18

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ENHANCING PEST CONTROL

PotatoesAt the farm gate the potato industry is valued at c £950mhowever over 60% of potato land in England and Wales is infested with Potato cyst nematodes (PCN). In severe casesPCN can reduce yields by 90%. Nematicides maintain the viability of some potato growing areas with 40% of the areaof the potato crop being treated at an estimated cost of £20million

Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida are the mainPCN species in the UK. G pallida is more difficult to controland has become the dominant species. The larvae of bothspecies hatch in the spring and invade potato roots wherethey feed and grow to maturity. Females develop into cystscontaining as many as 500 eggs. Many cysts remain in thesoil after crop lifting and continue to be viable for many years.

Successful and sustainable management of PCN requires anIntegrated Pest Management approach. A nematicide canonly be part of the solution, not the complete answer.

Points to remember: • Due to the varied distribution of cyst nematodes withinthe field and the inherent inaccuracy of soil sampling,hot spots may still occur in VYDATE® 10G treated fields.

• A soil sampling result giving 0 eggs/g does not meanan absence of PCN. It simply means that none werefound in that particular soil sample. Unexpected resultsshould always be retested.

• The effectiveness of VYDATE® 10G is directly linked tothe accuracy of application and incorporation.

• Choice and condition of granular applicator and subsequent cultivator have a profound influence on theefficacy of any nematicide.

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Accurately assess the nematode population• Know the history of the field in question. • Adopt a recognised sampling method. • Understand the limitations of soil analysis; it is only a guide.

• Consider all of the data to ensure the correct decision is made for each field.

Recent research has shown that there can be great variability in the both the field PCN distribution and the accuracy of laboratory assessments.

Soil sampling is a skilled activity and best practice recommends the sampling area of one hectare, even onsuch small areas hot spots can still be missed. Using a GPSprovider will allow the field to be monitored in detail. Re-testany unexpected results.

Sampling 50 cores of 1 cm diameter, taken at a depth of 10-15 cm, will result in a maximum sample size of 1 kg fromthe 1 ha block. Ask your laboratory to analyse a 200g soilsub-sample, rather than the typical 100g sample, this maycost more but it will give a more accurate result which mayprove to be important later when you review the tolerance ofa chosen variety.

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Maximising the benefits of VYDATE® 10G use•Minimise the time between application and planting. • Distribute VYDATE® 10G evenly in the top 10-15cm ofsoil.

• Use the correct dose.

Application and incorporation of granules should take placein one machinery pass. Granules should be fully incorporatedwithin the soil profile and not left exposed on the surface.

A one-pass machinery

combination such as this

is ideal as VYDATE® 10G

is distributed evenly at

the correct depth and

there can be no time delay

between its application

and planting.

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When using a rotovator (bed tiller) to incorporate VYDATE® 10GFor best results DuPont recommend the use of rotovatorswhich will evenly incorporate the granules in the top 10-15cm of soil working in a vertical plane, such as a Rotospike (e.g.Baselier).

Example of an

applicator set-up for

one pass operation

Triple bed Baselier

incorporating

VYDATE® 10G for

Potatoes

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When using a stone separatorPlease ensure that the fishtails distributing the VYDATE® 10G granules are placed towards the front of thestone and clod separator to ensure that the granules are adequately mixed in the flow of soil up the web or stars. The pictures below indicate optimum set-up.

Using less than recommended nematicide rates or badly calibrated applicators will exacerbate these problems.

Combi star set-up with

Horstine Farmery hoppers

(notice the forward

mounting position)

Close up of fishtails set

to give even distribution

of granules across soil

surface

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Free Living Nematodes – SpraingOn their own the free living nematodes Tricodorus andLongidorus may not cause significant damage but when associated with Tobacco Rattle Virus they can induceSpraing, an internal discolouration of the tuber, rendering thetuber of little value.

With regard to FLN, potato varieties vary in terms of theirsusceptibility to express the Spraing symptoms. VYDATE® 10G offers a reduction in the symptoms, but aswith all nematicides it may not provide complete control.Careful placement of VYDATE® 10G will maximise control. It is recommended that VYDATE® 10G is applied in-furrowusing a small fishtail to distribute granules over the soil before tubers are dropped into the furrow. If it is not possibleto fit a fishtail it is important that the granules are applied atthe front of the coulter shoe.

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Carrots, Parsnips and Sugar BeetVYDATE® 10G should be used where the field has a historyof Docking disorder. With sugar beet it is particularly important to protect seedlings when drilling to a stand. Withcarrots and parsnips VYDATE® 10G will reduce the spoilingeffects of fangy roots. This can be seen in the photo belowwith VYDATE® 10G treated carrots on the left and untreatedcarrots on the right.

However some drills do not effectively incorporate nematicide granules. The main problem is that the fishtail isoften set too far back from the drill shoe, close to the drawchain with the effect that there is insufficient soil to bedrawn over the granules.

This problem can be quite easily overcome by modifying theapplicator pipe so that it is angled towards the drill shoe; thisensures the nematicide is placed into moving soil which incorporates the granules more effectively.

Or the optimum set-up with the applicator feeding directlyinto the drill shoe.

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APPLICATOR CALIBRATIONAll growers should ensure that the nematicide applicator iscalibrated accurately prior to use each season. DuPont run anumber of grower workshops each season and will visit growers to facilitate the calibration process. Contact detailsare supplied at the end of this document should you requirefurther assistance.

In season calibration checksDuPont strongly advise growers to check the flow rates oftheir applicator during the season of use. The aim here is toensure the target dose is still being met to avoid under or overapplication across the whole working width of the machine.

DuPont have supplied all growers enrolled in the VYDATE® 10G Stewardship Programme with a set of Vy-Caltubes which allow for quick in season checks. The adjacentphotograph clearly shows what could go wrong with very uneven application. If you require Vy-Cal tubes please contactDuPont.

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ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY

Risk to wildlife and birdsTo safeguard wildlife it is essential that all nematicide appliedare well incorporated into the soil and that there are no granules left on the surface. Any nematicide granule left onthe soil surface, whether that be from poor incorporation,spillage during filling or by failing machinery, will put wildlifeand birds at risk. All spills should be cleared immediately.Granules left on the soil surface or spills are infrequent andonly occur when something goes amiss. A well-set machinethat is correctly serviced rarely causes a problem.

Exposed granules may pose a risk to wildlife. To preventgranules being left on the soil surface at row ends, shut-offthe applicator two to three meters from the end of the working strip. This ensures that all granules have left the delivery tubes by the time the machine is lifted from the soil.A land-wheel continuing to turn after the applicator has beenlifted out of work will cause product to be applied to the soilsurface.

This may be achieved remotely from the tractor cab by oneof the following approved systems:• Electric clutch. Please contact DuPont

• Cable clutch. should you require

• Hydraulic land wheel lift. assistance in fitting

• Computer controlled drive. this unit

Below left is an example

of an electric clutch fitted

to a carrot drill (clutch is

universal and available

from Horstine Farmery)

Below right, close up of

Horstine Farmery clutch

fitted to sprocket drive

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Headlands – Specific adviceFollowing field planting or at the end of each planting session a rotovator should be used across the row ends toensure any granules on the surface are fully incorporated.

Poorly set or serviced machineryGranules applied outside the incorporation area.

The following could cause major spillage yet can be rectifiedfor little expenditure.

Here fishtails deposit

outside the bedtiller

area; this will leave a

band of granules on the

soil surface

Split bungs

Perished pipe work

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Risk to surface waterThere has been no detection of oxamyl (the active ingredientin VYDATE® 10G) in surface water. However it is critically important that growers and operators adopt sensible precautions when working close to water courses andditches. This applies to all nematicides.

DuPont do not support the use of boom operated air blastmachines (e.g TMA4) adjacent to watercourses as dust orgranules can drift into ditches.

Post application wildlife monitoringGrowers should check the field 2-3 days post application for any bird or animal carcass that may be present. Any carcasses found may indicate poor incorporation of granules.(Clearly if granules are seen on the surface they should beincorporated immediately).

If you suspect the bird or animal has been poisoned pleaseremove and cover the carcass and contact Natural England(tel: 0800 321600) and the manufacturer.

For VYDATE® 10G call DuPont 01438 734450.

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Air assisted applicators which feed the granules directly tothe soil surface for immediate incorporation by an attachedrotovator offer better environmental protection.

Even with gravity fed applicators care may be required inwindy conditions, as granules will possibly drift on to the surrounding field edge of surface water.

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SAFEGUARDING THE OPERATORAlways read the label and machinery instructions beforeworking with granular applicators.

Safe working conditionsWith the development of enclosed transfer systems, such asthe DuPont Ecolite system, the greatest risk to the operatoris likely to be physical rather than chemical.

Always arrange machinery so that the user is working comfortably from the ground or from a raised stage and thatfilling takes place down wind to avoid any dust that might escape the hopper.

New product introductions such as those shown above aredesigned with operator use in mind. As you can see, the applicator unit can be filled at ground level rather than requiring the operator to climb on the machine.

Always maintain the applicator to the highest standard,breaking pipework and failing bungs not only risks the environment but adds extra risk to the user.

Undertaking a calibration check before the season allows for quick, accurate and safe changes of product rate duringapplication.

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Filling Site• All pesticides should be transported and stored in linewith current codes of practice.

• Always fill hoppers with nematicide at field of use.• Check container for tamper evidence and report anyconcerns.

• Close transfer is a control to minimise operator exposure; check all surefill adaptors and valves for damage.

• For close transfer valves to function correctly all hopper lids must be securely fastened.

• Provide filling platform when required for safe lifting.• Use PPE in line with COSHH and product label.• A safety feature of DuPont VYDATE® 10G containers isthat they cannot be lifted from hopper until fully closedtherefore minimising any possibility of spillage.

• It is good practice before leaving any filling site tocheck for any pesticide spillage.

Applicator storageAt the end of the season empty hoppers completely as nematicide granules will absorb moisture and become corrosive. Cleaning out rotors and hoppers once product has become damp increases user risk.

Granules should be returned to the container and stored for next year.

Do not clean the applicators with water but remove any dust or soil with a stiff brush.

Store the applicator in a dry enclosed barn, being left outside even in a lean-to shed will allow damp to get into the machine.

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FOLLOWING THE LABEL AND THESE STEWARDSHIPGUIDELINES WILL ENSURE THE SAFE APPLICATION OF NEMATICIDES.

For further information relating to VYDATE® 10G please contact the DuPont Technical Hotline on (01438) 734450.

Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label andproduct information before use. Copyright© 2014 DuPont. TheDuPont Oval logo, DuPont™ and all products denoted with ™ or

® are trademarks or registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont deNemours and Company or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Allmanufacturer’s trademarks are duly acknowledged.