Northwest Potato Growers Reminded To Watch for Pests, Volunteers

With warm temperatures to start the spring, many potato growers are enjoying healthy germination.  Because of that, growers across the Inland Northwest are reminded to be vigilant of pests and other problems.  Washington State University’s Tim Waters said growers need to watch out for volunteer potatoes left behind from last year’s crop for a variety of reasons.

“They can harbor various pests, and diseases and then can get into the commercial crop, this year.  So, for example, you can have a virus that’s in that seed, or that seed that sprouted from last year, and the virus can get spread to adjacent crops, the volunteer potatoes can serve as a food source for potato beetles that can then migrate into this year’s crop, and then late blight is always one that we’re concerned with.”

Waters said in addition to spuds from last year, growers need to be on the lookout for aphids.

“So, it’s good for growers to watch out for aphids, and Colorado Potato Beetle, it’s been a really heavy aphid and Colorado Potato Beetle spring, so, if you didn’t treat with a plant insecticide, growers really need to be out scouting, and thinking about what they are going to do to control those insects before they raise up into really big numbers.”

Join us Tuesday as we discuss what onion growers should be watching for as we prepare to transition from spring to summer.

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