Aceto Corporation has launched the PRO-POTATO quality programme to promote ‘best practice’ in the use of CIPC. Use this Guide to protect the value of your crop.
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AUDIT YOUR STORAGE PLAN
Select a PRO-POTATO applicator and ask them to inspect the building prior to storage to review its design, bulk layout or box stacking patterns, treatment system, ventilation and circulation system, monitoring system and hygiene.
Liaise early with your processor (before planting ideally) to confirm their precise requirements and set expectations for all criteria
STORE PREPARATION
Appropriate Store Design
Size - storage areas should be limited to a size that can be loaded quickly (within 5 days - so that the crop condition is uniform). Smaller or sub-divided stores should be considered - a maximum size of 1000 tonnes has shown positive results. The stored height should not exceed 5m for bulk - up to 8 stacked boxes.
Segregation - The segregation of tuber varieties is desirable to avoid the dosing of dormant crop just because it is stored alongside an earlier-breaking variety.
Treatment port - the application port for CIPC treatment should be positioned in consultation with your approved applicator for optimum distribution and to by-pass refrigeration coils and humidification cells.
Ventilation - systems should be adequate to ensure good airflow before, during and after treatment and to avoid condensation build-up during storage.
Achieving the optimum balance between humidity, condensation and even CIPC distribution is a complex task and an approved specialist should be consulted.
External access to fan switches is required to allow control without entering the store during treatment.
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CLEANLINESS AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Maintenance - the biggest threat to successful storage is poor structural condition of the store building. Holes, gaps and damaged insulation must be repaired to avoid any air leakage. Test all electrical equipment.
Annual clean-up - stores should be given an annual clean-up after the last crop is removed.
Disinfectant - a disinfectant solution may be used to reduce disease problems. Your PRO-POTATO applicator may be able to offer a professional service.
Dirt and debris - vacuum all surfaces including beams and ledges (during storage, floors in box stores should be vacuumed as frequently as possible. Avoid sweeping where possible to miminise dust movement.
Boxes - clean dirty boxes.
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Disease-free tubers - monitor crops regularly pre-harvest to get the earliest alert of any disease problems.
Correct harvest temperature - where possible, harvest as close as possible to proposed storage temperature. Avoid harvesting at extreme temperatures - i.e. less than 8ºC and greater than 20ºC.
Clean, dry tubers - harvest dry to reduce the risk of disease and ensure excess soil is removed (excess soil will result in uneven treatment.)
Good skin set - good skins will reduce de-hydration and the risk of disease. Lift mature tubers as early possible to optimise skin quality.
• high sugars
• poor skin set
• high respiration
• high shrinkage
Poor storage potential
• normal sugar profile
• good skin set
• fast wound heal
• normal respiration
• normal dormancy
Good storage potential
• high sugars
('jelly' ends)
• less turgid
(pressure bruise)
• slow wound heal
(potential for
decay)
• shorter dormancy
Poor storage potential
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Temperature reduction - reduce temperature of harvested crop slowly to target storage temperature - at a rate no higher than 0.5ºC per day to avoid impact on processing quality.
Temperature control - eliminate temperature fluctuation and differentials within the store.
Air circulation - ensure air handling equipment is sufficient to maintain a balanced air-flow and test for 'dead spots' which might require supplementary fans.
Monitoring - ensure there are sufficient temperature sensors within the crop - at least one per 100 tonnes.
Recording - maintain records for chemical treatment, temperature records and ventilation programmes in order to satisfy the traceability requirements of processors.
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The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 apply to potato stores and action is required by law.
You must have a health and safety policy and have carried out risk assessments.
Key points cover protecting workers from electrical, vehicle and chemical risks and controlling store access. Handling methods, protective workwear, signage and the working environment must be properly assessed. There are new rules about working at height.
The British Potato Council (BPC) and the Health & Safety Executive have recently published a detailed report covering these issues. Contact BPC on 01865 714455 for further details.
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Use of PRO-POTATO applicators - select approved, qualified contractors who have the skill and experience to optimize stored crop quality and have larger equipment for rapid and more effective CIPC treatment - and shorter shut-time for stores. Otherwise, store managers must be able to produce documentary evidence that fogging machinery is properly maintained and has been regularly calibrated.
Pre-treatment criteria
- temperature - stable at ideally less than 10 degrees C no higher than 15 degrees C. Consult processor for additional guidance. However, if unavoidable, it is better to treat potatoes at higher temperatures than risk sprouting.
- good skin set with curing completed.
- the store must be pre-dominantly dry and the crop free from condensation.
- no severe disease conditions (do not treat if skin spot is present)
- the temperature should not be raised before varieties
First treatment - Typically, once the crop is cured, first CIPC application is after 2-3 weeks in store.
Subsequent treatments - Monitor weekly for the earliest signs of sprouting and treat when the minority of tubers are breaking dormancy - this will vary between varieties. CIPC is not a ‘fire brigade’ treatment - sprouting cannot be reversed once underway.
CIPC treatments must be timely to ensure minimum risk to the crop. Delayed treatment typically means more treatment later. Under-dosing will increase the risk of damage by internal sprouting. Ask your PRO-POTATO applicators to assess crop for treatment.
Ventilation - Use fans during treatment to achieve even distribution if a safe protocol has been agreed with the approved applicator. Flush the store with fresh air when the CIPC has settled (6 - 8 hours after treatment). Treatment should not be carried out on very windy days to avoid the risk of vacuum effects compromising ventilation.
Health & safety - ensure building is sealed during and after treatment and follow label guidelines carefully. Full safety equipment must be on hand at all times and door notices must indicate time of treatment and the safe time to re-enter.
Recording - ensure detailed records of each CIPC application are maintained according to Assured Produce protocols - this includes logging personnel, involved, reasons for treatment, date, time, duration of application, tonnage treated, volume of CIPC formulation used, batch numbers of CIPC product used, any irregularities or problems.
Subsequent treatments - CIPC treatments must be timely to ensure minimum risk to the crop - sprouting cannot be reversed once underway. Under-dosing will increase the risk of damage by internal sprouting. The crop should be monitored weekly and PRO-POTATO applicators involved in assessing crop for treatment.
Label requirements - the statutory and label instructions must be adhered to and only approved formulations of CIPC can be used.
For full details of the latest label recommendations, click here.
Read the label before you buy. Use pesticides safely. CIPC is Chlorpropham.
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Poor treatment efficacy and uneven residues will result if the following problems occur:
- delayed treatment
- condensation in the crop.
- uneven store temperatures
- dirty tubers (soil cones) which create uneven treatment
- poor air circulation during treatment
- poorly operated or maintained application equipment
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PRO-POTATO approved applicators ensure:
Supported quality
Full traceability
‘Best practice’
Qualified personnel
Security and service
Aceto encourages selected applicators to operate under their PRO-POTATO scheme if they satisfy a set of key credentials:
- proven expertise in the safe and reliable application of CIPC
- 'best practice' procedures for store inspection and crop treatment
- the use of trained personnel certificated to meet local regulatory requirements
- full traceability through extensive documentation of procedures
- compatible with ISO 9002 standards
- adherence to the Assured Produce potato protocol
- the applicators must be fully insured and members of an appropriate professional body.
CLICK ON PRO-POTATO PARTNERS FOR DETAILS OF PRO-POTATO APPLICATORS.
Supporting CIPC worldwide