SIGNS OF LATE BLIGHT PLUS

There are techniques and tactics you can try to prevent potato blight. (Image credit: christopher miles / Alamy Stock Photo) Tips for potato blight prevention It is a disease that can also affect tomatoes and other crops in the Solanaceae plant family, such as eggplants and peppers. Late blight prefers a cooler, moister temperature than early blight.

It thrives in warm, wet, and humid weather, spreading quickly when there are two consecutive days over 50☏ and with 6-10 hours of 90% humidity. It attacks the foliage, tubers and potatoes and can spread rapidly through a plant and through a crop. Late potato blight is the more common name for traditional potato blight and it is caused by the fungus-like microorganism Phytophthora infestans. The severity of the disease can depend on certain factors, including the wetness of potato plant leaves as a result of rain, dew, or watering, and also the overall health of the plant. The spores of early blight are thought to be most active between 41 and 86☏ and spread via wind, irrigation, and rain. It is mainly prevalent in warmer climates and the fungus spreads in hot and dry weather.

SIGNS OF LATE BLIGHT PLUS

You can clean your tools like pruners simply with a little rubbing alcohol.(Image credit: Grahamphoto23 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images) The differences between early blight and late blightĮarly potato blight is caused by Alternaria solani and it can affect leaves, stems, and tubers – impacting the overall yield of the plants. Proper Sanitation: Clean your tools and hands after handling infected plants to avoid accidentally spreading the pathogen. Remove Infected Plants: If you find plants with late blight, remove them immediately to prevent the spores from spreading to other plants. You may compost or burn these plants since blight spores are found in most soil, the nutrient value is worth more than the risk of additional blight. Early morning and night are best times to spray. Place ingredients in spray bottle and shake until combined and spray ONLY when sun is not peak. Here is a recipe that we use with great success! Using your own fungicide from a homemade spray can often be just as effective as store bought on the home-garden scale. The earlier you detect it, the better your chances of managing it effectively.įungicide Application: Applying fungicides can help prevent the disease, especially if conditions are favorable for its development. Regular Monitoring: Regularly inspect your plants for signs of the disease. Typically on tomatoes the recommended pruning height is around 12 inches.

Pruning: Pruning lower leaves will reduce splashing from the soil as well as increase airflow.Proper Spacing: Proper plant spacing can enhance air circulation around your plants, reducing humidity and making conditions less favorable for the pathogen. This can help prevent the buildup of the pathogen in the soil. The disease can be carried in infected tubers, seed potatoes, and tomato seeds.Ĭrop Rotation: Do not plant potatoes or tomatoes in the same spot where they or their relatives were grown in the past two years. Healthy Seed Material: Use only certified, disease-free seed potatoes or seeds. Plant Resistant Varieties: Breeding programs have developed potato and tomato varieties that are resistant to late blight. Also, heavily defoliated plants will produce fewer, smaller fruit. This disease does not typically affect the fruit directly, but by defoliating the plant, it can lead to sunscald on the fruit. The center of these spots later turn white and tiny black specks, which are the fruiting bodies of the fungus, can often be seen in the white centers. These spots darken and enlarge to form circular or angular grey or tan areas that may be up to 1/4 inch in diameter. The disease begins as small, water-soaked spots. Septoria leaf spot usually appears on the lower leaves after the first fruit sets.

It is caused by the fungus Septoria lycopersici. Septoria leaf spot, also known as Septoria blight, is a common fungal disease that primarily affects tomatoes but can also occur on other plants.

Signs of late blight