Simplot invests in potato seed quality with Syngenta's Vibrance Premium seed treatment

A ready supply of quality potato seed, free from diseases, has never been more important for one of Australia’s most recognisable vegetable brands, prompting it to invest in the upstream supply chain while making Syngenta fungicide technologies an integral part of its new facilities.

Simplot recently acquired Agronico its trusted long-time suppliers of mini tubers and potato seed, securing not only its seed potato production systems but also cool room storage at Spreyton on the north coast of Tasmania.

The company behind Birds Eye and Edgell says the acquisition will facilitate a significant increase in Simplot’s early generation seed potato production capacity, including new capability to use VIBRANCE^® Premium seed treatment ahead of storage via application equipment co-developed by Syngenta and Team Sprayers.

These facilities and technologies will underpin Simplot’s expansive frozen potato business that supplies Australia’s major retailers as well as food service and quick service restaurants, hospitals and sporting venues.

Simplot Farming Operations Manager, Darren Briggs, said they already use more than 6,000 tonnes of seed to grow 1,800 hectares. That is 90,000 tonnes of raw potatoes.

The new facility will be used internally for its frozen lines, with Russet Burbank the main variety grown. Effective disease control in storage is critical to maintaining Simplot’s supply chains and providing value to their customers.

Mr Briggs said VIBRANCE^® Premium seed treatment had already proven its worth, with excitement building around the completion of the Spreyton-facility's upgrade to include the VIBRANCE^® Premium Applicators.

″We have already used VIBRANCE^® Premium religiously for the past two seasons, for seed going into storage,″ said Mr Briggs.

″A broad spectrum of disease control is really important, and we get that with VIBRANCE^® Premium.″

The liquid formulation of VIBRANCE^® Premium adheres to tubers, providing uniform coverage and early control of black dot, black scurf, Fusarium dry rot (seedborne), gangrene (seedborne) and silver scurf. It also suppresses common scab, making it the most versatile and broadest spectrum potato seed treatment on the market. While optimum seed coverage is achieved with the VIBRANCE^® Premium Applicator, many growers have also achieved good results using other equipment.

Mr Briggs said they plant early potatoes in late August to early September, so the factory can start processing in mid-January.

″VIBRANCE^® Premium gives us tolerance to the harsh environmental conditions we experience around then, like cold soil temperatures, spring rains and waterlogging. Any seed that doesn’t have an established layer of suberin and has wound sites is susceptible to Fusarium and bacterial rots under these conditions,″ he said.

″We also have some areas of poorer-quality sandy soils where Rhizoctonia (black scurf) can be more of an issue.

″VIBRANCE^® Premium is really valuable for managing Rhizoctonia in these patches because the large amount of soil disturbance after planting means our in-furrow fungicides can’t work as well.″

In past seasons, Simplot has had to double handle seed to apply VIBRANCE^® Premium. Come March, Simplot expects its facility-upgrade to be operational with the VIBRANCE^® Premium Applicators on all three of their download lines, in time to begin seed treatment for winter storage.

″Having the applicators installed will mean we can apply VIBRANCE^® Premium at download instead of having to run seed over another line later,″ said Mr Briggs.

The VIBRANCE^® Premium Applicator features a unique rotating nozzle which directs the spray to give an all-round coverage of the seed tuber. Airflow fans help deliver the spray onto the tubers. The unit delivers 23% more coverage on seed tubers compared to standard hydraulic nozzle systems.

For a complete zone of protection and insurance against potential soilborne diseases, Simplot combines VIBRANCE^® Premium seed treatment with in-furrow applications of Syngenta fungicides AMISTAR^® 250 SC (Group 11) and RIDOMIL^® Gold 480 SL (Group 4).

Syngenta Territory Sales Manager Wayne Richardson said VIBRANCE^® Premium was suited to operations of all sizes where quality is paramount, not only companies on Simplot’s scale.

″VIBRANCE^® Premium can be applied either as seed is downloaded into storage to provide excellent storage disease control, or just prior to planting as a traditional seed treatment following label recommendations to ensure even protection of tubers,″ he said.

″VIBRANCE^® Premium is a market leading formulation of two active ingredients from different modes of action – Group 7 and Group 12 – that delivers comprehensive early control of seed and soilborne fungal diseases in potato crops.

″The combination makes it a robust option when seedborne risk is high.″