bbradford

Important update on Blocker fungicide in potato

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In mid-December 2025, AMVAC Chemical Corporation, the manufacturers of the fungicide Blocker (pentachloronitrobenzene, PCNB), decided to stop producing Blocker 4F and 10G. In effect, this concludes production of Blocker for the future. The Blocker that is on the shelves at this time is all that will be available for future use. It is estimated that this will leave potato growers with a supply that may satisfy only 25-33% of the potato use demand in 2026.

Internal potato tuber defects: Hollow heart and heat necrosis

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Hollow heart, depending on its severity, is also called brown center. Hollow heart is characterized by the formation of an irregular cavity in the flesh of the tuber, usually surrounded by dark brown tissues. Heat necrosis is also referred to as internal brown and internal necrosis, which is characterized by small, brown, necrotic lesions or spots inside the vascular ring of the tuber.

Pink eye of potato

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Pink eye is a disorder of potato tubers that can cause costly storage losses for potato growers and can reduce tuber quality to the point where tubers will be rejected by potato processors. Pink eye not only directly affects tubers, but also makes tubers more susceptible to diseases such as Pythium leak, bacterial soft rot, pink rot, and Fusarium dry rot. These diseases cause additional storage losses and reduction in quality.