Potatoes in Canada

Features Agronomy Diseases
Late blight not yet found in Manitoba

Sept. 11, 2014, Manitoba – There have been scattered and heavy rains (Aug. 31 and Sept. 4) in many potato-growing areas in Manitoba, reports Vikram Bisht in the latest Manitoba Potato Disease report.

Based on the seven-day DSVs, late blight risk is low in southern part of Manitoba, moderate in the western and central parts of the province and high in the central north (Portage La Prairie) area. However, so far, there is no late blight report in Manitoba. Field scouting and a seven-day schedule of fungicide application are still recommended. 


Most of the seed potato fields are being desiccated. Desiccation of commercial fields will start soon. It is important that the vines be completely desiccated, or else there is still risk of late blight.

Late blight has recently been found and reported in Saskatchewan (Saskatoon and Outlook). The strain identification is not available yet. With this report, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan now have late blight. With westerly winds and rain clouds, we in Manitoba are still lucky. Ontario, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island have also reported late blights.

New late blight incidences reported in Washington (potato), Oregon (potato), Idaho (potato), Minnesota (potato), Ohio and Pennsylvania (tomato), Maine (potato), and New York (potato, tomato). No report from North Dakota. 

September 11, 2014  By Vikram Bisht MAFRD



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