Is potato processing prestige harmful to health?

Description and principle of action of the drug

Prestige, a product from the German company Bayer CropScience, is marketed as a seed treatment that combines the properties of a fungicide and an insecticide. It protects tubers from all types of pests, both aboveground and soil-dwelling, as well as against most fungal diseases common to potatoes:

• Colorado potato beetle;
• May beetle and its larvae;
• mole crickets;
• wireworms, thrips;
• cicadas;
• aphids, fleas;
• some fungal pathogens (rhizoctonia, scab).

Furthermore, the product has a pronounced stimulating effect on plant growth and development without causing any stress. These properties completely relieve gardeners of the hassle of protecting their crops, as after treating the tubers, potato crops no longer require any protective or preventative measures.

Judging by reviews, the product is indeed very effective, but with such a composition, this is understandable. The main active ingredients of Prestige are pencycuron at a concentration of 150 g/L and imidacloprid (140 g/L). The former is a contact pesticide that inhibits mycelial growth (the body of the fungus) and inhibits biosynthetic processes within the fungi. The pesticide degrades into non-toxic compounds within 40-50 days.

Imidacloprid belongs to the class of neonicotinoids—insecticides that block nerve impulses at the level of postsynaptic membrane receptors. The substance has a moderate toxicity level for warm-blooded animals, but its effects on insects are lethal. It has a relatively short degradation period, so it is no longer present in the soil or tubers by the time the potatoes are dug up.

The active period of the preparation is 1.5-2 months from the moment of germination of seedlings, which provides protection to plants throughout the entire period of active vegetation. The fungicidal effect lasts for 30-40 days, during which time potatoes are guaranteed to be free from diseases, rot, and other pathogens. Tubers treated with the product are much more resilient to temperature fluctuations, moisture, and oxygen deprivation, which directly impacts the quality and yield of the harvest. Furthermore, Prestige can be used on any root crop, not just potatoes.

Video "Description"

This video will tell you what Prestige is and how it works.

About the harm of the product

The question of whether Prestige can be used to treat potatoes and its potential health risks remains a subject of much debate. Specialists at the Medvedev Research Institute of Experimental Genetics (NIIEG) have conducted multiple studies to determine the presence of residues in potato roots, which demonstrated that no harmful toxic compounds remained in the tubers six weeks after application.

According to the manufacturer's description, the product is classified as a Class III toxicity product, which is classified as "moderately hazardous" in the relevant classification system. However, the developers claim that the active ingredients completely decompose within 40-50 days, and overall, within 3-4 months (the average potato growing season), a fully functional and completely harmless product grows. Furthermore, imidacloprid primarily penetrates the green parts of the plant and practically does not reach the fruit. The same instructions also state that 53 days after germination, new potatoes can be safely dug up and used for food.

Naturally, this theory benefits the manufacturer. However, many online reviews cast doubt on the product's safety. This primarily concerns new potatoes. There are no official reports of poisoning from the product, but some gardeners have reported a strange taste in new potatoes, as well as their darkening some time after cooking. This means that the product should not be used on early potato varieties, nor should it be consumed after being treated with it.

From the perspective of the European Union, where food quality standards are much higher, the product isn't so harmless. Their studies have shown that the complete breakdown period of imidacloprid, one of the ingredients in the product, averages 80-200 days. This means that potatoes should not be consumed for another seven months. Since the main ingredients in this product are classified as moderately toxic, Prestige itself should be classified as such. Of course, using the product significantly saves time and money on potato care, but is this savings worth the health risks?

Instructions for use

As stated in the instructions, Prestige is primarily intended for pre-planting treatment of tuber crops, particularly potatoes. However, it can also be used as a growth stimulant for other vegetable crops, and as a root soak for pepper, cabbage, tomato, and eggplant seedlings.

Before treating seed potatoes with the solution, it's recommended to warm the tubers and allow them to sprout slightly. On the day of planting, lay out plastic film, place the tubers on it, and then generously spray the seedlings with the prepared solution.

A working solution is prepared in a 1:10 ratio, meaning 10 ml of the product should be diluted in 100 ml of water. This amount is sufficient to disinfect approximately 10 kg of tubers.

Spray potatoes evenly. After treatment, it's recommended to let the tubers dry for a while before planting them immediately. For vegetable seedlings, the product should be diluted to a lighter concentration – 1 ml per 100 ml of water. Soak the roots in this solution for 8 hours, then immediately plant them in their permanent location. This treatment guarantees pest protection for the seedlings for a month.

When using this product concurrently with other chemicals, it is necessary to first check their compatibility. To do this, mix both products. If a precipitate appears, avoid using them simultaneously.

Remember about safety

Since the drug is not completely harmless, it is recommended to observe the following safety measures when working with it:

• spraying and preparation of the solution itself should be done in protective clothing, glasses, a respirator and rubber gloves;
• During work you must not drink, eat, smoke, and preferably not talk;
• If the solution gets into your eyes, rinse immediately with cold running water;
• After working with the drug, you must wash your work clothes, take a shower, and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water;
• If any signs of poisoning occur, it is recommended to take an absorbent (Polysorb, charcoal) and seek medical help.

Treated tubers are transported to the planting site in undamaged polyethylene bags. The working solution cannot be stored, but the product itself can be stored at temperatures ranging from -5 to +30°C. Children and animals should be kept out of reach of the storage area. Do not store the product in areas containing food, water, or medications.

Analogues of "Prestige"

It's worth noting that Prestige isn't the only effective product in this series. There are many similar pesticides, differing only in the active ingredient and duration of action. Therefore, those unsure about the effectiveness of Prestige have a good choice of both commercial and traditional remedies.

Purchased products

Of the ready-made preparations, the following have a similar effect:

• "Mospilan" (manufacturer Nippon Soda Co, Japan) is an insecticide based on acetamipridom, effective against most insects, has good compatibility with other pesticides;
• "Confidor" (manufacturer Bayer CropScience, Germany) is a contact insecticide based on imidacloprid, compatible with most similar preparations;
• "Aktara" (Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Switzerland) - the active ingredient is thiamethoxam, has a fungicidal and insecticidal effect, is effective against most parasites, and is compatible with other drugs;
• "Actellic" (Syngenta Crop Protection AG) is a complex insecticide against all types of insects.

Absolute analogues of the drug "Prestige", which also contain imidacloprid and pencycuron in the same concentration are "Tanrek", "Rector", Bator".

Traditional methods

If you want to grow an environmentally friendly potato crop, you can resort to folk remedies and safe techniques. For example, experienced gardeners know that the Colorado potato beetle dislikes the smell of cilantro, beets, garlic, calendula, and legumes. To repel the pest, these plants can be planted between potato rows or alternate rows.

Wood ash is commonly used to treat seed tubers. It's best if the material is obtained from burning birch, but if that's unavailable, other wood ash will do just fine. The tubers are sprinkled with ash just before planting. This protection prevents potato rot and disease. And leftover onion skins added to the planting hole will protect the tubers from being eaten by underground pests. While these folk remedies may not be as effective as the "Prestige" preparation, they do allow you to grow completely safe and healthy potatoes.

Video "Application"

This video will show you how to use Prestige.