Late Blight Spore Trapping Network report week ending July 15
NDSU/UMN Potato Late Blight Spore Trapping Network
July 9-15, 2019
Welcome to the second report from the NDSU/UMN Potato Late Blight spore trapping network. There were 7 locations reporting from the week of July 9-15. No late blight spores were recovered in the filters. As the legend in the map indicates, green dots indicate no late blight spores recovered at the marked locations. The previous report erroneously reported the week ending July 12, but it should have been the week ending July 8.
The late blight spore trapping network was started in July 2019. Because the threat of late blight is a looming concern for potato growers as it has potential to cause severe financial and yield losses. Early detection and protection can help save a potato crop, as it is unknown when late blight spores are in proximity to potato fields. The potato Blightline, utilizes a weather model to indicate when conditions are favorable for late blight, but does not indicate if late blight spores are present. The focus of this project is to provide data on late blight spores. Spore data in addition to utilizing the predictive model can improve late blight management strategies. There are a number of cooperating farms who have placed a wind driven spore trap near a potato field. The filters are changed weekly and sent to the Dr. Neil Gudmestad’s laboratory for detection of late blight. Results are published on the NDSU/UMN Potato Extension webpage at z.umn.edu/spud. Thanks to MN Area II Potato Council, RDO Farms, Simplot and Bayer for helping to sponsor this project.
Late Blight Spore Trapping Network report week ending July 15 (pdf)