Infinito is the gold standard of fungicides, not just in Kenya but throughout the world. It’s won earned its position as one of the most superior fungicides to ever exist. It is a systemic and contact fungicide, for the control of downy mildew in roses, early and light blight on tomatoes and for control of late blight in potatoes.

Since we are potato enthusiasts, we’ll talk about its efficiency and effectiveness in controlling late blight in potatoes.

Product Profile

Active Ingredients: 62.5 g/L fluopicolide + 625 g/L propamocarb hydrochloride

Formulation: Suspension concentrate

Pack size: 500ml, 1 L

Application rate: 30 – 35g/20l water

PHI: 7 days

Price: 500 ml is roughly Kes 2900/=

Usage

When spraying, you mix 30mls of Infinito 687.5 SC with 20l of water. If the disease intensity is higher, you use 35mls of Infinito fungicide. It’s recommended you spray the fungicide for a maximum of four times on a crop in a season.

You should therefore alternate the fungicide with others to ensure maximum protection for your potatoes. Although Bayer recommends alternating it with Milraz fungicide, experience has taught me to alternate it with any powdery fungicide, provided it's abbreviated 76 W.P. Such fungicides include Milraz 76WP, Zetanil 76WP, and Globe 76WP.

When spraying potatoes with Infinito, you should spray with intervals of 7 days if the disease pressure is high and 14 days if the disease pressure is low. Disease pressure is high when there is high rainfall and warm temperatures which causes high humidity. Late blight fungi thrive best in such conditions.

Notably, you should start spraying Infinito fungicide before your potatoes get attacked by late blight to guarantee success.

How it Works

Infinito protects the stems, leaves and tubers against late blight. It is highly effective against foliar and tuber blight. In fact, it’s the best fungicide for potato varieties that are susceptible to late blight like Markies, Destiny and Dutch Robyn.

 Fluopicolide is a protectant fungicide with translaminar mobility i.e. If you spray the fungicide on one side of the leaf, it will move through the leaf to the second side and offer protection on both sides. It works by disorganizing pathogen’s cell structure. The unique mode of action is highly effective at all stages of the pathogen’s life cycle. Fluopicolide activity is very intense and destroys the pathogens within a few seconds after contact.

Propamocarb on the other hand is a protectant fungicide with systemic mobility. Once sprayed, it’s absorbed and translocated to other parts offering maximum protection. It’s mode of action is by interfering with phospholipid and fatty acid synthesis. The mode of action is effective in most blight stages.

Infinito is highly effective against late blight at all stages, sporulation, cyst formation, zoospore mobility, cyst germination and mycelial growth. It is one of the reliable fungicides that allows you to have quality sleep without a worry about your potatoes in the field.

Tips

• Only spray Infinito on dry foliage, not early in the morning or when it is raining. However, it is rain fast in 1 hour (If you spray and it rains after 1 hour, it’s efficiency will not be affected).
• You should start spraying Infinito before late blight attacks your crops to guarantee high rates of success.
• Since Infinito is a preventative fungicide, you should not spray it after blight signs have become visible on the plant. In such cases, use superior curative fungicides such as equation pro, metacop, Milraz, or zetanil.
• For better protection, apply 35ml/20l of water with a spray interval of 7 days.
• After spraying, you should not harvest the potatoes until 7 days are over.

Summary

Like a coin, everything must have a flip side. Infinito 687.5 SC is immensely powerful when we talk of controlling late blight in potatoes. However, it’s prowess comes at a cost. Farmers must dig deeper into their pockets to buy the fungicides.

Currently, 500ml bottle is retailing at KES 2920 and the 1 litre pack has since been removed from the market. INFINITO is readily available in most agrovets. Walk in to the nearest agro-dealer and get yourself a pack of INFINITO 687.5 SC and forget about late blight in your potato farm. You can also get the herbicide at cheaper prices on online shops.