On Wednesday, Washington State University confirmed Late Blight in a potato field north of Pasco.  Officials said the incident is light in the infected field.  Growers are asked to monitor fields thoroughly and daily for late blight and continue until harvest.  WSU is reminding you to specifically check low areas, wheel tracks, and pivot centers.Dispose of all cull or refuse tubers and manage volunteer potato plants, especially in fields where late blight occurred the last two years.

 

Fields between Pasco and Eltopia should be treated with a fungicide every 7 days.  Other fields in the Columbia Basin should be treated at a 10 to 14 day schedule and treated 1 to 7 days before any major rainfall.  Check seven-day weather forecast for rain daily.  Rill irrigated fields do not need fungicides for late blight at this time.  Because this disease spreads very rapidly, it is best managed regionally.

 

If you suspect Late Blight in your area, contact WSU Extension.  To report, confirm, or make a late blight diagnosis please contact a team member:

 

  • Rachel Bomberger, WSU Plant Pest Diagnostic Clinic, bomberger@wsu.edu(509) 335-3292.
  • Carrie Wohleb, WSU Extension Grant-Adams Counties, cwohleb@wsu.edu, (509) 707-3510.
  • Tim Waters, WSU Extension Franklin-Benton Counties, twaters@wsu.edu, (509) 545-3511.
  • Matthew Blua, Washington State Potato Commission, mblua@potatoes.com, (509) 765-3680.
  • Gary Grove, WSU Prosser Irrigated Agriculture R&E Center, grove@wsu.edu, (509) 786-9283.

 

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com

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