Content
Presowing treatment of potato tubers is a very important procedure to reliably protect young plants from various pests, including the annoying Colorado beetles and wireworms. Previously, many processed potatoes in the old-fashioned way, using various folk remedies. But with the advent of effective chemicals, such processing faded into the background.
Many effective means have been created for the pre-sowing treatment of potatoes. In this article we will tell you about the popular Russian drug Tabu.
Description of the drug
Tabu is a modern potato dressing agent from a large Russian company "August", which is a leader in the production of pesticides for agriculture. The main purpose of Taboo is to fight all kinds of potato pests, which include:
- Colorado potato beetle and its larvae;
- wireworm;
- bread beetle;
- fleas;
- leafhoppers;
- cereal aphid;
- winter scoop and others.
Moreover, to protect against all these insects, potatoes need to be treated with this preparation only once. This one-time treatment is more than enough to protect the potato bushes during the initial - the most sensitive stage of growth.
Chemical composition
In terms of its chemical composition, Tabu is very similar to another popular disinfectant - the foreign drug Prestige. Despite the similarity of the compositions, these dressing agents are not analogous, but can be used together. The main active ingredient of these drugs for the protection of potato tubers is imidacloprid. It belongs to the class of neonicotinoids related to insecticides.
In Tabu, the concentration of imidacloprid will be 500 grams per liter. This concentration of the active substance is moderately toxic to humans, but it will be destructive for insects. Once in the insect's body, imidacloprid blocks its nerve receptors, causing severe paralysis and further death.
In order to avoid such an effect, the processing of potatoes with this or other means that contain imidacloprid should be carried out without the participation of children.
In addition to imidacloprid, the following substances are included in the Tabu dressing agent:
- antifreeze;
- dispersants;
- adhesive;
- thickener;
- wetting agent;
- dye.
Mechanism of action
The taboo takes effect within 24 hours from the moment of processing. Moreover, the period of its activity lasts 45 - 50 days. During the processing of the tubers, the insecticides that make up it are absorbed into the potatoes. At the same time, due to the presence of a dye in the composition of the preparation, the treated tubers turn pink.
After planting the potato and its germination, the active substances through the vegetative system penetrate into the young shoots of the tubers. When insects attack these shoots or their underground part, insecticides enter their body. There they have a neurotropic effect on the insect's nervous system. In 24 hours after this, paralysis of the main organs of the pest occurs, causing its death.
Release form and packaging volumes
Insecticidal disinfectant Tabu is produced in the form of a water-suspension concentrate. This makes it much easier to use.After all, such a solution mixes extremely quickly with water.
As for the volume of packaging of the drug, then here you can choose from two options:
- bottle with a capacity of 1 liter;
- canister with a capacity of 10 liters.
Pros and cons of Tabu
Using Taboo as an insecticidal disinfectant has several advantages:
- Convenience in work. Due to the convenient form of release in the form of a water-suspension concentrate, it will not be difficult to prepare a working solution. At the same time, unlike bulk products, this dressing agent will not form dust and settle at the bottom of the container in the form of a sediment.
- Uniform application. The substances included in its composition allow the working solution to be evenly distributed between the tubers, without draining.
- Coloring the processed potato pink.
- Highly effective against potato pests, especially the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm.
Of the negative properties of this Taboo, only its toxicity can be noted.
The use of the drug Tabu for the protection of potatoes
Treatment of potato tubers from pests using Tabu can be carried out in two ways:
- Processing potato tubers before planting;
- Treatment of potato tubers during planting along with the planting furrow.
Both methods are equally effective, they will differ only in the concentration of the working solution.
Personal safety measures
Taboo refers to chemicals with toxic effects, therefore, before using it, attention must be paid to personal safety measures. Without this, it is strictly prohibited to use it.
Personal safety measures include:
- Protective clothing such as face shield and gloves;
- Carrying out treatments either in the fresh air or in technical rooms where there is no access to food and water;
- Refusal to eat and eat during the treatment of tubers with the drug.
Processing potato tubers before planting
This is a classic way of using Taboo and similar dressing agents. It is distinguished by its simplicity, safety and efficiency.
For pre-sowing treatment of potatoes, a working solution must be prepared. Given the water-suspension form of the drug release, it will not be difficult to prepare a working solution. The instructions indicate that to process 100 kg of potatoes, it is necessary to dilute 8 ml of the drug in a liter of water. In this case, first the drug must be diluted in a glass of water, stirred well, and only after that add the remaining water.
Before processing, the tubers must be laid out on a tarpaulin or film in one row. After that, the working solution must be thoroughly shaken again and sprayed onto the decomposed tubers. In order for the tubers to be evenly covered with a solution, it is recommended to turn them over during processing. At the same time, due to the dye in the composition of the drug, you can immediately see which tubers have not been processed.
After processing, the potatoes should dry out a little. Only then can it be planted in the ground.
Processing potato tubers during planting
The possibility of spraying potatoes already planted in the holes is an innovative solution of the manufacturers of Tabu. This method of processing significantly saves time and has the same efficiency as pre-sowing treatment.
For this method, the working solution is prepared in a lighter concentration. To process one hundred square meters of land, 4 ml of the drug must be mixed with 10 liters of water. In this case, first, the drug must be diluted in a glass of water, and then mixed with the remaining water.
Now all that remains is to spray the potato tubers laid in holes or furrows.
The company "August", which is the manufacturer of the drug Tabu, has prepared a special video about its product. Before using the drug, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with it:
We will also give the reviews of people who have already used this disinfectant in their gardens.
