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Potato Growing Guide: Moths
The potato moth is a serious crop pest, damaging the plant's leaves and tubers. The larvae of this moth dig tunnels that reduce the efficiency of photosynthesis and impair the quality of the tubers, making them unsalable and difficult to store. Effective moth management requires an integrated approach combining prevention, monitoring, and active control to protect crop quality.
Symptoms of Ringworm Infection
- Transparent galleries on leaves : The larvae dig galleries reducing the leaf surface available for photosynthesis.
- Galleries in tubers : The quality of the tubers is affected by the dug galleries, making the potatoes unfit for sale.
- Presence of excrement on tubers : Visible excrement on tubers is a sign of infestation.
- Reduced photosynthetic activity : Leaf damage reduces the ability of plants to produce energy through photosynthesis.
- Compromised storage : Infested tubers do not store well and are more vulnerable to disease.
Early detection of these symptoms is essential to limit the spread of the moth and its negative impacts on harvesting and storage.
Means of Prevention against Ringworm
Use Healthy Tubers
It is crucial to choose tubers free of moths for planting. This prevents the pest from entering the crop early on.
Plant at a depth greater than 5 cm
Planting potatoes at a depth of more than 5 cm helps limit the access of moth larvae to the tubers, reducing the risk of contamination.
Weed Control
Weeds around the crop can provide a haven for moths. Removing them helps reduce potential sources of contamination .
Destroy Contaminated Tubers
After harvest, it is essential to destroy contaminated tubers and debris from the previous crop to limit the moth population in the soil.
Disinfect Storage Areas
Disinfection of storage areas prevents infestation of tubers during storage.
Maintain Regular Irrigation
Regular watering prevents the formation of cracks in the soil, which would facilitate the larvae's access to the tubers.
Carry out hilling
Earthing up, or adding soil around the plants , protects the tubers by covering them and making them more difficult for larvae to access.
Means of Fighting Ringworm
Prophylactic Measures and Chemical Control
An integrated approach combining prophylactic measures with chemical treatments is often necessary to control ringworm.
Use of Engeo Insecticide at the Tuberization Stage
At the tuberization stage, the insecticide Engeo (0.2 L/ha) can be applied if conditions are favorable (temperature between 25 and 30°C) to control the larvae.
Application of Voliam Targo at the Growing Stage
At the tuber growth stage, applying Voliam Targo (0.45 L/ha) helps reduce moth infestations and protect the maturing crop.
Use of Pheromones for Integrated Pest Management
Pheromones attract moths into traps, reducing their reproduction and limiting their population in an ecological way.
Insect Parasites as a Biological Method
Introducing parasitic insects is an effective biological method for controlling potato moths.
Specific Cultural Practices
Crop rotation and choosing resistant varieties help reduce the risk of infestation and keep moth populations under control.
Fumigation in Storage
Although methyl bromide fumigation has been common for storage disinfection, its use is limited today due to its environmental impacts.
Additional Information on Ringworm and Its Management
Controlling moths in potato cultivation requires an integrated and collective approach . Once the caterpillar has penetrated the tuber, it becomes very difficult to eliminate, even with chemical treatments. Prevention, early detection, and cooperation between farmers are essential to limit the impact of moths on harvests and storage. By adopting integrated management practices and prioritizing prophylactic measures, producers can effectively protect their crops against this destructive pest.
FAQ on Potato Moth Management
What damage does potato moth cause to crops?
The potato moth damages the leaves and tubers of plants. The larvae dig tunnels that affect photosynthesis and alter the quality of the tubers, making the potatoes unsalable and difficult to store.
What are the main symptoms of a moth infestation in a potato field?
Signs of infestation include transparent galleries on leaves, galleries in tubers, the presence of excrement on tubers, and reduced photosynthesis. Infested tubers do not store well and are more susceptible to disease.
What preventive practices help avoid a ringworm infestation?
Preventive practices include using healthy tubers, planting more than 5 cm deep, removing weeds, destroying contaminated tubers, disinfecting storage areas, regular irrigation, earthing up, and community control to limit the spread of the moth.
What insecticides can be used to control potato moth?
Engeo insecticide (0.2 L/ha) can be applied at the tuberization stage if temperatures are favorable, and Voliam Targo (0.45 L/ha) can be applied at the tuber enlargement stage to limit moth infestations.
What biological methods are effective against ringworm?
Biological methods include the use of pheromones to attract and trap moths, as well as the introduction of parasitic insects to control moth populations in an environmentally friendly manner.