Potato growers shouldn’t be deceived by the relatively low levels of blight around this year, warns the British Potato Council’s (BPC) blight advisory team.
Adas blight expert Nick Bradshaw advises growers not to be complacent and to regularly check with the BPC’s website (www.potato.org.uk) for local blight news.
Parts of England and Wales have recorded ‘blighty’ weather last week. Where it has been cloudy and overcast there has also been a marked increase in humidity. If night temperatures rise and showery weather continues this combination will increase the blight risk.
“Crops at high risk are those where spray intervals have inadvertently been extended - some to as much as 14 days. Where this has happened add a curative fungicide in the spray programme and aim for 7-day spray intervals during unsettled weather. What’s more, fungicide choice should include products and mixtures that protect tubers,” said Bradshaw.
He also reminded growers about the importance of resistance management particularly in relation to QoI fungicides (azoxystrobin, fenamidone and famoxadone).
“Guidelines for managing fungicide resistance are available on the BPC’s website and are essential reading for all potato growers and agronomists," he added.
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