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Extension Specialist: Late Blight Won't Affect State Potato Crop
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/08/2009

Not everyone is concerned about the effects of the recent discoveries of late blight in Wisconsin potato fields. According to an e-mail sent to farm reporters last week by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, UW-Madison Vegetable Specialist A.J. Bussan says he is doesn't believe quality or quantity of potatoes will be a problem due to the blight.

"The volume of stored potatoes does not appear to be in jeopardy due to issues of late blight at this point in time," he wrote. "All growers have been taking preventative action to manage late blight since reaching critical severity values six to eight weeks ago and detections in production fields have been limited to a single case. With vine kill actively ongoing throughout the state and storage crop due for desiccation within days, the threat of late blight decreases."

Bussan says late blight cannot survive unless living potato/tomato tissue is present. Growers are thoroughly scouting desiccated fields for any signs of green tissue. He also says fungicide should continue to be applied if stems or leaves remain viable or green after vine desiccation.

Typically, about 80 percent of the state's crop is put into storage until needed by processors.

The last time Wisconsin had a late blight outbreak in potatoes was 2002.


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