Starting with a broad-spectrum fungicide and robust neonicotinoid seed treatment, like CruiserMaxx^® Vibrance^® Potato or CruiserMaxx Potato Extreme, offers thorough protection against damage from early-season insects, and soil- and seed-borne diseases. Photo source: Syngenta, CO, 2022.

Producing a potato crop with high quality and yield potential requires, among other things, planting healthy seed in optimum soil conditions. That’s a great start, yet it’s no guarantee of success given the wide-ranging challenges you face each year from climate conditions, disease pressures, labor shortages, rising production costs and more.

Early-season crop management is crucial to battling many threats and establishing plant health. Although potatoes are affected mostly by bacterial rots, they are also susceptible to some fungal diseases, such as dry rot caused by Fusarium species, silver scurf from Helminthosporium and black scurf from Rhizoctonia. These diseases can infect seedlings, causing the death of stolons and stems, weakened roots and stunted plant growth.

Potato dry rot, for example, is a devastating fungal disease worldwide. According to Michigan State University researchers, soil- and seed-borne inoculum can affect the plants in the field; however, more severe damage occurs during storage. During their research, they found that although dry rot inhibits crop stand development and can cause losses up to 25%, infection as high as 60% can occur during storage.¹

To reduce risk and jump start your success in a new growing season, it’s important to implement a management plan that targets both insects and diseases at planting. Utilizing a strong seed treatment is recommended to protect against these potentially devastating seed-borne diseases, as well as early-season insects, such as Colorado potato beetle, aphids, potato leaf hopper and potato psyllid.

Using a quality seed treatment helps prevent fungi spreading in early stages of potato plant growth. You can start strong and maximize potential yield and quality by protecting potato seed from the moment they are in the ground. Starting with a broad-spectrum fungicide and robust neonicotinoid seed treatment, like CruiserMaxx Vibrance Potato or CruiserMaxx Potato Extreme, offers thorough protection against damage from early-season insects and soil- and seed-borne diseases.

CruiserMaxx Vibrance Potato

• Features sedaxane, fludioxonil and difenoconazole fungicides with thiamethoxam insecticide in a convenient formulation effective at a single use rate.
• Efficient and convenient liquid formulation for potato growers looking to start the season strong.
• Delivers comprehensive control of Rhizoctonia, Helminthosporium and Fusarium, in addition to a multitude of below- and above-ground pests.
• Improves stand establishment and protects young roots and stolons.
• Aids in wound healing and suberization.
• Optimized handling and application characteristics (in all temperatures and treating conditions).
• Low dust off without the need for additional polymers or additives.

CruiserMaxx Vibrance Potato boosts RootingPower for healthy roots and stolons, which leads to increased nutrient uptake and water use efficiency.

CruiserMaxx Potato Extreme

• Created for convenience – with 2 fungicides (fludioxonil and difenoconazole) for controlling seed-borne diseases, plus thiamethoxam insecticide that delivers reliable insect control, this all-in-1 liquid formula helps get potato crops off to a great start.
• Effective protection against key seed-borne diseases, including strains of Fusarium resistant to fludioxonil.
• When applied according to label directions, it results in less chemical exposure and less mess than dust alternatives, so you can spend less time cleaning up and more time focusing on building your bottom line.

Watch as 3 ID potato farmers share why they recommend CruiserMaxx Potato Extreme seed treatment:

Start Strong for Best Results

Throughout the growing season, enhancing germination, increasing vigor and improving stand establishment is key to minimizing risk and optimizing marketable yield and quality potential. However, getting potato crops off to a strong, healthy start can lead to better tuber distribution and greater uniformity at harvest, both of which are important for marketability and profit potential.

To learn more about potato seed treatment options, talk with your local Syngenta representative or visit this page.

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Product performance assumes disease presence.

Performance assessments are based upon results or analysis of public information, field observations and/or internal Syngenta evaluations. Trials reflect treatment rates commonly recommended in the marketplace.

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¹Wharton P, Hammerschmidt R, Kirk W. Fusarium dry rot. Michigan potato diseases series. Michigan: Michigan State University; 2007. pp. 531–532.