The British Potato Council is urging vigilance among growers as the combination of high humidity and regular periods of warm temperatures could vastly accelerate potato blight development.
The council provides daily updates on its website www.potato.org.uk using a network of blight scouts. It expects to hear of more cases during the next seven to 10 days following confirmation of 18 additional infections over a seven-day period at the end of last month.
The increase and intensity of Smith periods around the country coupled with the stormy weather is a worry, claims BPC agronomist Mark Prentice. "Over the last week or so we have seen large parts of England and Scotland face consecutive Smith periods, many for the first time this season.
"Regular crop monitoring is essential as is the choice of spray. Consider the effectiveness of the products being used and during showery weather this should include rain fastness."
He says added pressure to harvest other crops during unpredictable weather may mean some blight sprays are missed or spray intervals are extended.
Nick Bradshaw of agronomist Adas believes that even though blight is not widespread, the risk of tuber infection is now the issue and it could be a problem if there is any relaxing of the spray programme.
"As long as the unsettled weather pattern persists, spray programmes need to be well maintained and increasingly focused on the need to provide protection against tuber infection," said Bradshaw.
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