Manitoba is part of a National Late Blight Working Group, which coordinates strain identification in various parts of Canada. tomatoes and potatoes may not show the same severity if infected with the same strain, while other strains may equally affect tomatoes and potatoes. Some of these new strains may not affect all host crops with the same aggressiveness, i.e. The fungus is changing and newer strains are appearing at a higher frequency. Late blight is caused by a moisture-loving fungus, Phytophthora infestans, which can infect potato and tomato, as well as other related plants like nightshade, petunia and tomatillo. To increase the chances of avoiding late blight infection in 2012, it is important to understand the disease and to be able to identify it early. For this reason, it is critical to start with potato seed or tomato transplants that are free of late blight. However, there can be no disease if the inoculum is absent. MAFRD is involved in the running of a Weather Network, which is used for late blight forecast. Strains active in other regions of North America, especially just south of the border, could affect what we see here in Manitoba.ĭevelopment of late blight is very much weather dependent. This suggests that the population of late blight strains in Manitoba is dynamic and variable. The late blight fungus strain was mostly US#24. However, the story in 2011 was very different - late blight disease in Manitoba was at moderate levels on potato, while the tomato crop escaped almost unaffected. The pathogen strains were US#23 (mostly on tomato, some potato) and US#24 (mostly potato). Late blight devastated tomato plants in many home gardens throughout Manitoba. In 2010, there was an early onset of late blight in June and later that summer there was a major problem on tomatoes and potatoes across the Canadian prairies. Inspection of the greenhouse tomato transplants has to-date shown no infected plants in Manitoba in 2012. ![]() ![]() The distribution of late blight disease could depend on how effective the surveillance for late blight is and also the weather in general. These two facts could have an impact on the late blight development and progress in 2012. Florida supplies tomato seedlings to a large portion of the US. The strains of the fungus from Florida are reported to be changing and appear to be more tolerant to warmer temperatures. Apply every 10-14 days, good coverage is essential.Late Blight Disease Management: Before It Becomes A Serious ProblemĪs early as February 2012, moderate to severe levels of late blight have been reported from Florida. Spray with Yates liquid Copper as soon as symptoms appear. When using sprays and chemicals always read the label and follow instructions carefully. Repeat spray after 13mm of rain or irrigation has fallen. Increase volume as crop matures: Ensure coverage of upper and lower leaf surfaces. Apply at 7 – 10 day intervals depending on weather conditions. Spray with Grosafe FreeFlo Copper Fruit & Vegies. Remove and destroy any infected parts of the plant, do not place into your compost. Improve air flow around the plant by leaving sufficient space between each plant, removing laterals on tomatoes, and keeping beds weeded.Įarly intervention is critical, so act quickly as soon as there are signs of Blight. Reduce the humidity around the plant by watering in the morning and ensuring that there is good air flow around each plant. Healthy plants are less likely to be affected, so feed and water plants regularly to avoid them becoming stressed. Water at the base of the plant when possible. Try to prevent the leaves from being wet for too long. This fungal disease thrives in wet conditions, so it’s important to keep foliage dry. Plant potatoes and tomatoes in different beds to avoid increased risk of getting blight and other problems. Long thin or spot like markings can be seen on the trunk which have a yellow halo. Early and late refers to when they are more likely to appear, however the two can appear at the same time.Įarly Blight can cause leaves to distort and often have dark brown or black spots with a circular ring around them, eventually the lower leaves wither, turn crisp and die. ![]() With early blight, several treatment options are available, while with Late Blight it’s best to pull your potatoes or tomatoes out and dispose of the plant material (don’t put it in your compost). Most blights are caused by bacterial or fungal infestations, which usually attack the shoots and other young rapidly growing tissues of the plant.īlight diseases primarily affect Tomatoes and Potatoes. There are two kinds of blight commonly around Early Blight (Alternaria Solani) and Late Blight (Phytophthora Infestans).
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