News
Late Blight Found in MN and MB
Late blight has been found in multiple farms in MN and also found in MB. The genotype has been identified as US23. Growers should watch their crop at harvest and after harvest for the presence of late blight tuber infection. Post-harvest application of Phostrol or a similar product can reduce spread of late blight in storage.
Aphid Alert for September 14
Aphids are rapidly disappearing (not surprising) and more trap locations are shutting down for the season. But we've been calculating the Risk Index for locations still reporting.
UNECE Guide to Seed Potato Field Inspection: Recommend Practices
To harvest a plentiful and healthy yield of seed potatoes for trading internationally, producers have first to plant seed potatoes of the highest quality. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has drawn up an international reference quality Standard for Seed Potatoes (UNECE Standard S-1) to help producers do exactly this. The UNECE Guide to Seed Potato Field Inspection has been developed to aid countries in the application of the Standard. The Guide is recommended for use at the discretion of the Designated Authority (DA). The Standard sets common terminology and minimum requirements for certifying high-quality seed potatoes for international trade. It covers: • Varietal identity and purity • Genealogy and traceability • Diseases and pests affecting commercial quality or yield • External tuber quality and physiology • Sizing and labelling.
Optimizing Shank Injection Fumigation Using Metam Sodium by Neil Gudmestad
The soil fumigant metam sodium continues to play an important role in the management of soil borne pests of potato such as Verticillium dahliae, the primary cause of early dying, and the root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans. Recent label changes resulting from the re-registration of metam sodium by the EPA have made the application of the fumigant through water applications very difficult due to the requirement of large buffer zones to reduce human and animal exposure to the chemical. As a result, there has been a dramatic increase in the application of metam sodium via shank injection. This method of application is not as efficacious as water applications of metam sodium. This presentation will discuss the most recent research conducted at North Dakota State University directed at improving the efficacy of shank injection metam sodium.
My Potatoes Turned Green: Now What?
Potato tubers turn green when they are exposed to sunlight during growth or storage. The green comes from the pigment chlorophyll. Potato tubers exposed to light will become green naturally as the plant seeks to harvest the light. Solanine is a toxic substance that is produced naturally in potatoes and other plants to aid in resistance of insects and animals. Solanine is present in all parts of the potato plant, including the sprouts, roots, leaves, flowers and fruits. Solanine has a bitter taste and can cause stomach symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea if you eat enough of it. If ingested in large amounts, it can cause illness or even death in extreme cases. Because of the bitter taste, most people do not eat enough to get sick. In addition, consumers always should avoid consuming sprouts.
Aphid Alert, September 1 2015
It looks like the cooler weather has begun to decrease aphid numbers. We are reporting two weeks worth of data for the Hatton and Tappen sites, and in each case there is a significant reduction in total vectors and PVY risk. Green peach numbers are down and soybean aphids have dropped dramatically in all locations except Ada. PVY-Vector Risk Index values reflect the weekly trap trap catch. Cumulative season PVY-VRI values are nearing those of last year in some locations. For the whole story and detailed catch information, as well as the PVY-VRI maps check out: aphidalert.blogspot.com
Blightline August 31
Congratulations to all those in the potato industry in ND, MN and MB. No late blight has been reported or confirmed in our region this entire growing season. Growers should continue to scout fields for late blight, concentrating in areas that are wet longer such as low areas, near shelterbelts or around pivot wells. Morning fog and dew are beginning to appear, and these can contribute to free moisture need for late blight infection.
Bones are Bad in Potato Production
The goal of potato growers is to produce a high-yielding, high-quality crop that is safe for consumption. Animal bones, a foreign material, are a food safety risk, and fields that have bones in the soil are not suitable for potato production.
Pictures from Field Day
The NPPGA Potato Field Day was an awesome day! Talks were great, fields looked amazing, and the meals were super. Thanks to Hoverson Farms, Oberg Farms, NPPGA potato associates, NPPGA, NDSU Extension Service, and all the corporate sponsors.
NPPGA Potato Field Day Schedule
The NPPGA Potato Field Day on August 20th will have a variety of speakers and presentations. They include Drs. Andy Robinson, Neil Gudmestad, Susie Thompson, Guiping Yan, Ian MacRae, Gary Secor, Darrin Haagenson, Harlene Hattermna-Valenti, and Tom Michaels. Topics include agronomy, breeding, entomology, nematodes, plant pathology, and weed science.
Aphid Alert August 17
Another week with high aphid pressure. We are seeing more green peach aphid across many sites including a whopping 18 from the Sabin trap! Soybean aphid numbers are still high. Several locations have risk indices in the double digits: Ada, Perham, Sabin, and Tappen.
NPPGA Field Day August 20th
North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota potato research will be highlighted during the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association field day on Thursday, Aug. 20. This year, the field day tour will travel to three locations. The day will begin at 7 a.m. with breakfast at Hoverson Farms near Larimore. Research presentations will begin at 8:15 a.m. Lunch and research presentations will be at the Forest River Colony near Inkster at noon. Also scheduled is a field tour of the irrigated research trials. The last stop will be at Oberg Farms near Hoople starting at 5 p.m. The final stop will include research presentations and an evening barbecue.
Blightline August 12
No late blight has been reported or confirmed in our region of ND, MN or MB. We have not even had a suspicious sample submitted. Late blight has been reported in potatoes in Box Butte County, NE. The recent hot and dry weather has resulted in conditions unfavorable for late blight. Growers are encouraged to continue to apply protective fungicides for early and late blight control, as weather conditions can change quickly. Morning fog and dew are beginning to appear, and these can contribute to free moisture need for late blight infection. Continue to scout fields for late blight, concentrating in areas that are wet longer such as low areas, near shelterbelts or around pivot wells.
Blightline August 3
No late blight has been reported or confirmed in our region of ND, MN or MB. Late blight has been reported in potatoes in MI and IN. Growers are encouraged to apply a protective fungicide such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb on a 7-10 day schedule, and scout fields for late blight, concentrating in areas that are wet longer such as low areas, near shelterbelts or around pivot wells. Send suspect samples to us at NDSU for confirmation or denial of late blight. Remember that late blight is a community disease and the potato neighborhood needs to know when late blight is present so it can be fought collectively.
Blightline July 17, 2015
No late blight has been reported or confirmed in our region of ND, MN or MB. Late blight has been reported in potatoes in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario, and additional late bight has been reported in potatoes in Adams, Waushara and Wood counties in Wisconsin. Late blight severity values in our regions have increased dramatically this week due to the frequent thunderstorms and high humidity. All irrigated and non-irrigated locations have now reached late blight severity values of 15. At this threshold value of 15, accumulated conditions are conducive for late blight if inoculum is present. Growers are encouraged to apply a protective fungicide such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb, and scout fields for late blight, concentrating in areas that are wet longer such as low areas, near shelterbelts or around pivot wells.
MN Potato Field Day
The MN Area II Potato Field Day will be held at the Sand Plains Research Farm in Becker, MN. The field tour will consist of viewing entomology, fertility, breeding, and agronomic research. Dinner will be provided by Everris.
Blightline July 10, 2015
No late blight has been reported or confirmed in our region of ND, MN or MB. Late blight has been reported in potatoes in the states of CA, CO, FL, NH, NY, PA, TX, WA and WI in 2015. Late blight severity values in our regions have stabilized the past two days. Most irrigated locations have reached late blight severity values of 15, including Beach, Inkster, Karlsruhe, Leonard, Linton, Mandan, Michigan, Minot, Oakes, Robinson and Tappen. The non-irrigated locations of Ada, Humboldt, Rolla, Sabin, St. Thomas, Stephen and Warren have also accumulated 15 severity values. At this threshold value of 15, accumulated conditions are conducive for late blight if inoculum is present; growers are encouraged to apply a protective fungicide such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb.
Blightline July 8, 2015
No late blight has been reported in our region of ND, MN or MB. Late blight has been reported in potatoes in Morgan County, CO. The genotype is US8, which was first reported in 1995, has been found only rarely in recent years. Late blight severity values in our area continue to accumulate. Most irrigated locations have reached late blight severity values of 15, including Beach, Inkster, Karlsruhe, Leonard, Linton, Mandan, Michigan, Minot, Oakes, Robinson and Tappen. The non-irrigated locations of Ada, Humboldt, Rolla, Sabin, Stephen and Warren have also accumulated 15 severity values. At this threshold value of 15, accumulated conditions are conducive for late blight if inoculum is present; growers are encouraged to apply a protective fungicide such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb.
Signs of Metribuzin Damage in Potato
Metribuzin applied to potatoes postemergence can cause chlorosis of the veins for a variety of reasons. It can be that cultivars are more sensitive to the herbicide, or the environmental conditions promote slow metabolism, or the soil conditions make metribuzin more active. Knowing these things will help ensure crop safety when using metribuzin.
Blightline July 1, 2015
No late blight has been reported in our region of ND, MN or MB. Late blight has been reported in potatoes in Adams County, and more recently in Waushara County,WI. Late blight has been reported in potatoes in Franklin County, WA. The genotypes have not yet been identified. Late blight severity values in our area have stabilized somewhat are accumulating slower. Several irrigated locations have reached late blight severity values of 15, including Beach, Inkster, Leonard, Linton, Michigan, Oakes and Robinson. At this threshold value, accumulated conditions are conducive for late blight if inoculum is present; growers are encouraged to apply a protective fungicide such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb.
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