Wisconsin potato growers have increasingly reported concerns with black dot and silver scurf over the past several years. These diseases are often subtle during crop development yet can significantly impact tuber appearance, storability, and marketability by harvest and throughout storage. Unlike explosive diseases such as late blight, black dot and silver scurf tend to develop …
In this issue: Amanda Gevens, Professor & Extension Vegetable Pathologist, UW-Madison, Dept. of Plant Pathology, 608-575-3029, gevens@wisc.edu Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Draft Endangered Species Act (ESA) Fungicide Strategy – Feedback Requested by June 29 On May 1, the EPA released its draft Fungicide Strategy to bring the Agency into compliance with its obligations under the …
In This Issue: Disease forecasting updates for potato early blight and late blight | Cucurbit downy mildew updates | Black dot and silver scurf of potato
As the potato harvest season advances, late-season tuber diseases are of concern. Two diseases in particular—black dot (Colletotrichum coccodes) and silver scurf (Helminthosporium solani)—can diminish tuber quality, reduce storability, and lead to post-harvest losses. Managing these diseases requires careful attention in the late season, as cultural and harvest practices can influence disease.