5-30 FB Luna Tranquility

 Luna Tranquility is a fungicide recently released by Bayer CropScience. Apparently this product  was put on the market and has been used in an effort to control early blight in potatoes, something that BASF’s  fungicide called Endura is supposed to control. But as is often the case, whether it be insects, weeds, parasites etc., the organisms you are trying to control are very good at developing resistance.  Well apparently there is a sufficient amount of residue on the potatoes after using Luna Tranquility that Japan won’t accept processed potato products that have been treated with this. I called Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative Executive Director: Dan Hargraves and asked him what was going on. Apparently this was breaking news to him: “what did you say the name of the product was? Luna tranquility. I can’t comment on it because I don’t know  how growers use it and I don’t know to what extent it is going to affect those growers who have used it.”  The few growers that I have heard about have expressed that it is not calamitous but they are disappointed.