After a wet and mild winter, the lily planting season is coming up. To ensure a good and healthy yield, it is important to have a good overview of the current situation of the field before planting.
It is important to determine whether and to what extent Pratylenchus penetrans nematodes are present in a field by taking samples. Prevention is the most important weapon in the control of Pratylenchus penetrans: ensure good weed control and possibly grow tagetes as a pre-fertilizer.
Optimum root quality
If there are many nematodes, a treatment before planting is necessary. This is according to Alex de Waard, crop advisor at Bayer. He recommends applying Velum Prime at a depth of 10-15 cm to ensure maximum yield and (root) quality of lilies. "This is most effective with a soil treatment just before planting. Velum Prime can also be applied during planting using suitable equipment."
Nematode pressure
He recommends applying Velum Prime to plots of land with low nematode pressure alone at a rate of 0.625 l/ha. On plots with high nematode pressure, the advice is to make a combined application with granules based on oxamyl or fosthiazate.
Bulb fumigation
In recent years, Bayer Crop Science, together with partners, has been researching the immersive application of Velum Prime just before planting. These studies looked at the eradication of Pratylenchus penetrans nematodes in the planting material of lilies. These studies showed that Velum Prime combats nematodes in the immersion bath, which increases the root volume and reduces the percentage of root rot. The concentration of Velum Prime in the immersion bath was 0.09%.
There have been good experiences with lilies immersed in Velum Prime followed by a soil treatment with granules on infected plots. Alex de Waard: "When Velum Prime is applied through a soil or immersion treatment, we see from the tests and the many practical experiences that the crop is more vital in the field so your crops are better protected against weather conditions."
For more information:
Bayer 
Ales de Waard
+31 (0)6 53 240 914
[email protected]
www.bayer.com