Aphids, late blight attack potato crop

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, January 20

With the surfacing of aphids and late blight in potato crop, growers are worried in several parts of the state. Farmers were expecting a good return due to extreme cold before harvesting, but the attack of insect and fungal disease is giving them sleepless nights.

Experts of the Potato Technology Centre (PTC) at Shamgarh here detected 20 cases of attack of both aphids and fungal disease in Karnal, Panipat, Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar districts that could be dangerous for both seed production and the standing crop.

Dr Satinder Yadav, Deputy Director Horticulture and in-charge of Potato Technology Centre, said potatoes were grown over 34,000 hectares in the state. “The late blight may destroy the entire field if preventive measures are not taken,” he said.

“Potato seed producers must be vigilant because the aphid is a vector of the virus in potato seed crops,” he said, adding that it can be treated with both biological and chemical methods.

Experts said climatic conditions were conductive for late blight and farmers must be vigilant in their fields as the leaves of the potato plant start burning from outside and the fungus moves to the inside, leading to loss to the farmers. In severe case, the symptoms of blight can be seen on stem also.

“Farmers are advised to monitor their crop and they may spray 500 ml of azoxystrobin 50%sc in 500 litre water per 2.5 acres. The spray of a mixture of 1kg of chlorothalonil 75%wp in 800litre water per 2.5acres is also advised,” Dr Yadav said.

Advisory for farmers

• Potatoes are grown over 34,000 hectares in the state. Aphids, an insect, and late blight, a fungal disease, can wreak havoc with the standing potato crop as well as seed crop.
• Experts have issued an advisory to farmers to remain vigilant in their fields and spray recommended fungicides if needed.
• They have urged farmers to contact their district horticulture officers and the Deputy Director Agriculture for more assistance to tackle the disease.

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