Potato is one of the most widely cultivated crops worldwide, but it is vulnerable to several diseases, with early blight and late blight being the most significant. These fungal diseases can drastically reduce yield if not managed properly.
Early Blight of Potato
Symptoms:
Leaf Spots:
- Small, dark brown to black spots with concentric rings
- Spots often merge, causing large necrotic areas on leaves.
Premature Defoliation:
- Affected leaves dry out and fall prematurely, reducing photosynthetic activity.
Stem Lesions:
- Dark, elongated lesions may appear on stems.
Tuber Infection:
- Rare, but can cause sunken, dark spots on the tuber surface.
Management:
Cultural Practices:
- Use certified disease-free seeds.
- Practice crop rotation (avoid planting potatoes or tomatoes in the same field for consecutive years).
- Avoid overhead irrigation to reduce leaf wetness.
Chemical Control:
-
KATYAYANI SAMARTHA (CARBENDAZIM 12% + MANCOZEB 63% WP)- 35 - 40 gm / Acre
- Katyayani COC 50 | Copper Oxychloride 50% WP- 30 gm / Pump
- Meta - Manco | Metalaxyl 8 % + Mancozeb 64 % wp - 35 - 40 gm / Pump
Late Blight of Potato
Symptoms:
Leaf Blight:
- Water-soaked, pale green spots that quickly enlarge and turn brown or black.
- White fungal growth appears on the undersides of leaves in moist conditions.
Stem Lesions:
- Dark brown to black lesions on stems and petioles.
Tuber Rot:
- Irregular, brown to purplish patches on the tuber surface.
- Flesh underneath is brown, granular, and dry, leading to secondary bacterial infections.
Management:
Cultural Practices:
- Use disease-free seed tubers.
- Destroy infected plant debris after harvest.
- Ensure good field drainage to reduce waterlogging.
Chemical Control:
- Katyayani COC 50 (Copper Oxychloride 50% WP)- 30 gm / Pump
- Meta - Manco (Metalaxyl 8 % + Mancozeb 64 % wp) - 35 - 40 gm / Pump
- Katyayani Azoxy ( Azoxystrobin 23 % sc) - 15- 20 ml / Acre
Key Differences Between Early and Late Blight
|
Feature |
Early Blight |
Late Blight |
|
Symptoms |
Concentric rings on leaves |
Water-soaked lesions, white mold |
|
Tuber Infection |
Rare |
Common |
Conclusion
Early and late blight are severe threats to potato crops, but timely management practices and fungicide applications can effectively reduce their impact. Incorporating resistant varieties and maintaining healthy crop practices are crucial for sustainable potato farming.
FAQs
Q1. Why is managing early and late blight crucial for sustainable potato farming?
A. Uncontrolled blights can severely impact potato yield and quality, leading to economic losses. Timely cultural practices, resistant varieties, and fungicide applications ensure long-term sustainability and productivity in potato farming.
Q2 . Can resistant potato varieties help prevent early and late blight?
A. Yes, planting resistant potato varieties is a sustainable way to lower the risk of both early and late blight while improving crop health and yields.
Q3 . When should fungicides be applied to manage blights?
A.
- Early Blight: At the first sign of leaf spots or concentric rings.
- Late Blight: Apply during initial water-soaked spots or when weather conditions (cool and wet) favor its development.
लेखक का नाम - Charu, Agristudent
