Late Blight Pathogen Identified as US8

WSU’s Dr. Dennis Johnson had identified this year’s late blight pathogen in potato fields as US8.

This particular strain is metalaxyl and mefenoxam resistant which means you can’t use Ridomil.

Fields with late blight and adjacent fields should be on a 5 to 7 day fungicide application schedule.  Fields north of Pasco to Mesa and east of Pasco to Eureka and Burbank without late blight should be on a 7 day schedule.  Other fields in the Basin should be treated at row closure and then on a 10 to 14 day schedule.

For more information, or help in identifying or treating late blight, contact Johnson at 509-335-3753 or dajohn@wsu.edu.

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