A new orange-based product is set to give potato growers another option to suppress sprouts in storage.

UPL’s new orange oil product, ARGOS, officially gained approval from PCS earlier in the season.

ARGOS is made from a natural substance, d-limonene (terpene), which is obtained by physical extraction of oil from the orange peel.

The manufacturer claims that there is no residue, smell or taste to the end product, and no withholding period.

This means the product can be used for both the fresh and processing sectors, with no effect on fry colour.

Application

The orange oil is applied as a hot fogging concentrate. Upon contact with the potato, the oil disrupts the growing point of newly emerging sprouts, burning them off and preventing germ growth.

ARGOS gained registration earlier this year in the Netherlands, where commercial trials since 2015 showed good performance against mint oils and other alternatives.

Since the loss of the mainstay sprout suppressant active CIPC, growers who store chipping and crisping varieties have been left with little alternative options.

Speaking on its approval, head of technical services for UPL UK and Ireland Don Pendergrast said: “The loss of CIPC means the industry has had to rethink the whole [potato] storage strategy.

"Whilst several other alternatives exist, they are not without their drawbacks – either requiring extended withholding periods or having potential impacts on quality of stored potatoes.

“Orange oil may be a late entrant to the race, but it certainly has good form and offers versatility,” he concluded.