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16 JULY 1999 ------------------------- POTATO GROWER CHALLENGE ARE you a tip top potato producer? If you are making the most of your potato growing opportunities why not have a go at our

latest easy-to-enter competition. You could be in line for the £1000 top prize or one of the 100 Maglite torches on offer for the first 100 entries received. In association with the tuber

protectant Fungazil 100 SL, FARMERS WEEKLY is looking for growers who can most ably demonstrate the skills required to profit from potato production. Top yield is not the sole criteria. We

are looking for evidence of input use matched to the potential of the crops you are growing, low overhead costs and environmental responsibility too. Entrants who successfully complete the

questionnaire stage of the competition will go on to a round of on-farm judging. To enter, answer the simple questions below. Who knows, you could be £1000 better off before the whole of

this years crop is even lifted! SPONSORS MESSAGE _WITH the important contribution that potato crops make to whole farm incomes, meticulous crop management for optimum yield, quality and

ultimately margin is essential. Appropriately, this challenge to identify and promote best practice is being supported by Fungazil 100 SL, the popular potato tuber protectant from

Rhône-Poulenc Agriculture._ _Use of Fungazil 100 SL (imazalil) in conjunction with cultural practices, such as earlier lifting and temperature controlled storage, can control diseases such

as silver scurf, skin spot, gangrene and dry rot, which unchecked can degrade skin finish, cause rotting, weight-loss through dehydration and potentially exclude crops from high value

markets._ _In addition to controlling the main storage diseases, Fungazil 100 SL offers additional advantages over traditional thiabendazole based products in terms of effectiveness against

fungicide resistant strains and marketing flexibility. _ _While fungal resistance to thiabendazole (TBZ) has increased, to date there are no reports of tuber pathogen resistance to imazalil.

_ _Marketing flexibility is also increased with Tesco sanctioning the use of Fungazil 100 SL under its Natures Choice protocol for use where cultural methods may not provide adequate

control of fungal infection. And on a more practical level, Fungazil 100 SL treated ware tubers are not subject to a statutory withholding period, unlike TBZ products, which carry a

three-week harvest interval._ _Cost-effective at a treatment cost of about £5/t, Fungazil 100 SL can pay for itself many times over – the question is can you make the Potato Grower Challenge

cost-effective for you?_ _Read the rules_ _1 The competition is open to all bona fide farmers and farm managers in the UK who grow potatoes._ _2 Complete the entry form in ink and post or

fax to the address on the coupon._ _3 Closing date is July 30, 1999._ _4 Late, incomplete, defaced and illegible entries will be disqualified, as will any which do not comply with these

rules. No responsibility will be accepted for entries delayed or lost in the post._ _5 The judges will be appointed by FARMERS WEEKLY and Rhone-Poulenc. Their decision will be final. No

correspondence will be entered into._ _6 The winner and finalists will be announced and presentations made at a reception at Potato 99, near Newark on Sept 8. Entrants must agree to attend

the event and co-operate in subsequent publicity._ £1000 TO WIN _The winner will be presented with a cheque for £1000 and a trophy to keep. All finalists will be invited to an awards

presentation at the Potato 99 event near Newark, Notts, on Sept 8. This years event includes a host of practical agronomy demonstrations. All finalists receive a special, framed

certificate._ _POTATO CHALLENGE ENTRY FORM_ _Name…………………………………………………………………………………….._ _Address…………………………………………………………………………………._ _……………………………………………………………………………………………._

_……………………………………………………………………………………………._ _Tel………………………………. Fax……………………………………….._ _Farm size……………………… Potato area…………………………….._ _Varieties grown…………………………………………………………………………_ _Typical

yield…………………………………………………………………………….._ _Q1 What nutrient deficiency shows up as black/brown spotting along leaf veins? a. Manganese b. Phosphate c. Nitrate _ _Q2 Which virus is NOT

transmitted by aphids? a. Virus X b. Virus Y c. Leaf roll virus_ _Q3 Which broad-leaved weed has a heart-shaped first true leaf? a. knotgrass b. redshank c. black bindweed _ _Q4 Which

nematode type is increasing rapidly across the UK? a. G rostochiensis b. G pallida c. Both _ _Q5 Which storage disease is unaffected by fungicides? a. dry rot b. soft rot c. skin spot _ _Q6

How quickly should potato wounds heal in store? a. 24 hours b. 10-20 days c. 1 month. _ _Q7 How deep do significant potato roots go? a. 70cm b. 150cm c. 250cm _ _Send to: Potato Challenge,

FARMERS WEEKLY, Quadrant House, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS. Fax: 0181 652 4005. Closing date: Friday July 30 1999._