Bayer: Serenade, a fungicide, can effectively improve quality and vitality of potato

Serenade contains the natural strain of Bacillus amylolytica of QST713. When the product is applied to the soil, these probiotics will colonize the roots of the plants. Root secretions are a food source for the bacteria in Serenade. In return, these bacteria protect the plant's roots, stolons and tubers from soil-borne diseases such as rhizoctonia and scab. In addition, Serenade helps plants grow more roots to improve nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus and iron, zinc and manganese.

In collaboration with 50 leading growers in the Netherlands between 2018 and 2022, the effectiveness of Serenade applied to potato soil was comprehensively investigated. Data from 147 large-scale field trials (six replicates per treatment) generated a large database for detailed data and statistical analysis.

The field findings were taken back to Bayer's research facilities in Germany and the United States to reproduce the field observations and further uncover the rationale for Serenade's efficacy. Together with growers, consultants and value chain partners, Bayer confirmed the unique features of Serenade's efficacy:

• Protects underground plant sites from soil diseases such as rhizoctonia, scab 
• 
  
• Promotes root formation, especially stolons
   
• Can significantly enhance the absorption of nutrients, such as calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe)
   
• It can significantly improve skin quality and prolong shelf life
   by enhancing the suberinite

• Can significantly improve potato vitality and have a positive impact on the next growing season
   
• Can significantly reduce the formation of green tuber and solanine
  

      Conclusion 

Serenade's properties increase the marketable yield of potatoes while improving skin quality, reducing disease incidence, increasing the content of nutrients (Ca, Fe), and greatly reducing solanine levels. The increased vitality of the Serenade harvested potatoes is the basis for increased yields of subsequent crops.

Suggestion 

Serenade should be applied to gullies at a dose of 5 liters per hectare when planted. Serenade can be mixed with starter fertilizer and/or other fungicides. Be sure to use a coarse strainer to ensure optimal flow when applied.