5 READ-TIME
Velum® Rise Fungicide/Nematicide in an Integrated Nematode Management Program for Potatoes
March 20, 2025
For potato growers, nematodes and diseases can reduce yield potential and marketability of their crop. Nematodes, especially root lesion, root knot and potato cyst, are a key threat to a potato crop and particularly difficult to control. These microscopic roundworms feed on plant roots and can transmit diseases. Although there are no estimates of yield losses specific to Canada, it is estimated that 10% of the potato crop is lost annually to nematodes in the U.S. It is reasonable to assume that this may also be the case for Canada.1 In addition to nematodes, diseases including, black scurf, Rhizoctonia stem and stolon canker, early blight and black dot can also rob yield potential and decrease product quality. Black dot (Colletotrichum coccodes) and plant pathogenic nematodes are some of the causal agents of the potato early dying (PED) disease complex.
There are solutions that can help reduce crop damage from nematodes and fungal diseases for the current season and the next. Velum® Rise fungicide/nematicide is an innovative non-fumigant nematicide for potatoes with the additional benefit of fungicidal activity on soil-borne diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani, early blight, black dot and white mould. When used together in an integrated, comprehensive nematode management program, Velum Rise can help increase yield potential and quality for potato growers.
Velum Rise Fungicide/Nematicide
Velum Rise is a broad spectrum fungicide/nematicide (fluopyram and penflufen) labeled for use in potatoes in Canada. It specifically targets root lesion (Pratylenchus spp.), root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.) and potato cyst (Globodera pallida, Globodera rostochiensis) nematodes. Velum Rise has also demonstrated effectiveness in the control of black scurf and stem and stolon canker (Rhizoctonia solani) as well as suppression of early blight (Alternaria solani), black dot (Colletotrichum coccodes) and white mould (Sclerotinia spp.) fungal diseases. The Velum Rise rapidly immobilizes nematodes, killing them one to two hours after contact. It then moves systemically throughout plant tissues, controlling black scurf and Rhizoctonia stem and stolon canker while also suppressing early blight, black dot and white mould diseases. Velum Rise has limited soil mobility and excellent systemic plant mobility. The suppression of nematodes can lead to improved root health and plant vigour.
Application
Velum Rise can be applied in-furrow during planting. It comes in a liquid formulation that makes it ideal for use with common in-furrow application equipment. In general, Velum Rise is most effective when the product is uniformly applied to soil and targeted toward the future rooting zone of the plant, where the active ingredients can have direct contact with nematodes or be absorbed by the plant. Moist soil conditions, above 12-15%, generally increase effectiveness.2 For resistance management, the first foliar fungicide applied after in-furrow application must have a non-Group 7 mode of action. Examples include chemicals such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb.
Always refer to the latest label instructions for proper application rates and procedures.
A Comprehensive Nematode Management Program
Velum Rise is most effective as part of a comprehensive nematode management program. It is not intended as a replacement for fumigant nematicides. An integrated pest management program begins with soil tests to determine whether pathogenic nematodes are present within a field, what nematode species are present, and whether nematode population densities are high enough to cause economic yield loss. Information on nematode species and population densities, along with the history of the incidence and severity of diseases and insects as well as soil moisture levels during field preparation can help guide management decision making. Growers should use a combination of different control measures since no single measure offers complete protection. Current nematode management considerations include:
Crop Rotation can help reduce nematode populations in fields, but results are dependent on the nematode species. Root lesion nematodes have a wide host range, so crop rotations are challenging. Soybeans and red clover are both good hosts for root lesion nematodes, while annual ryegrass is less so. With root-knot nematodes, crop rotations can be effective since annual ryegrass, timothy and cereals are nonhosts. Potatocyst nematodes have a limited host range (potato, tomato, eggplant, wild Solanum spp.), so crop rotations that include nonhosts such as cereals and forages are a practical approach to reducing population levels in the soil.
Soil fumigation is a proven broad-spectrum strategy to reduce all species of nematode populations in soil, but these chemicals are expensive, can be dangerous to applicators, and are not always cost effective because they do not provide consistent control for all pests. Specialized equipment is required for application and effectiveness is highly influenced by soil and seedbed conditions as well as temperatures. Also, the timing of fumigant application can result in planting being delayed.
Other cultural practices can lessen the impact of nematodes. Good plant nutrition can improve plant vigor, reducing nematode damage. Selecting earlier-maturing potato varieties that can be harvested earlier can help limit the time the tubers have in the field, reducing vulnerability to nematode damage.
Practicing sanitation is critical to keeping nematodes from being introduced into fields. Root lesion nematode, for example, can be spread easily via contaminated soil, seed pieces, equipment, and wind-blown soil. Equipment should be cleaned and sanitized before moving between fields. In the case of potato cyst nematode, it is essential to follow quarantine regulations that limit or restrict movement of soil, machinery and vehicles containing soil and plant material to prevent the spread of this nematode into uninfested areas.
Key Features and Benefits of Velum Rise
Delivers excellent control of soil-borne black scurf, and stem and stolon canker caused by Rhizoctonia solani
Broad spectrum nematocidal activity with the added benefit of in-season protection against early blight, black dot and white mould diseases
Simple and easy to apply
A liquid formulation that offers reliable effectiveness at low application rates make it ideal for existing liquid in-furrow application equipment
Early season protection and suppression of nematodes and diseases
Poses less human safety risk and is less restrictive to use than traditional soil fumigants because it is less toxic and has few label restrictions
Reduces pesticide load versus the use of fumigants
Sources
1 Nematodes. Government of New Brunswick. Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/10/agriculture/content/crops/potatoes/nematodes.html
2 Grabau, Z.J., and Noling, J.W. Nematode Management in Potatoes (Irish or White). University of Florida. IFAS. https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/
Best management practices for preventing potato cyst nematode contamination. Government of Canada. Canadian Food Inspection Agency. https://inspection.canada.ca/plant-health/plant-pests-invasive-species-other/golden-nematodes/inspection/eng/1337016451272/1337016555455
Gorny, A. and Grode, A. 2021. Lesion nematode in potato. North Carolina State University Extension. Vegetable Pathology Factsheets. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/lesion-nematode-in-potato
Sampling soil and roots for plant parasitic nematodes | ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/sampling-soil-and-roots-plant-parasitic-nematodes
Legal Statement
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Performance may vary from location to location and from year to year, as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible and should consider the impacts of these conditions on the grower’s fields.
Bayer, Bayer Cross and Velum® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. Used under license. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada. ©2025 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.
