LATE BLIGHT: Dr. Dennis Johnson’s late blight hotline was updated on May 11, 2017.
Here is what he reported:
Currently, the probability of late blight occurring sometime this growing season in the Columbia Basin is above 85% in both the south and north Basin. Additional rainfall in May will increase the probability.
Late blight has not been reported as of this date in the Columbia Basin nor is it expected this early in the field. However, look for seed tubers that may be infected. Culls and tuber refuse need to be eliminated, volunteer potatoes in fields where late blight was present last year need to be managed, and fields should not be over irrigated between now and row closure.
Please report late blight if you find it. Late blight must be managed on a regional basis to effectively control the disease. Please contact Dennis Johnson at 509-335-3753 or dajohn@wsu.edu to report, confirm, or make a late blight diagnosis. The hotline number is 1-800-984-7400. Good luck this growing season.
Check out Potatoes at WSU.
