Potatoes are growing well in Manitoba thanks to abundant rain, but some of the wind and storms that has accompanied the rain may have helped in spreading the late blight disease.
Manitoba Agriculture plant pathologist Vikram Bisht says the disease has spread from Carberry to Sidney and Glenboro, with a new case having popped up this week near Oakville. Bisht says it's critical for home gardeners as well as commercial growers to be on the lookout for late blight in potatoes and tomatoes.
"Yesterday I went to one acre of a tomato production field and it was really bad with late blight," he says. "Their potato crop was also not good, so spread the word that home gardeners must look after their tomatoes and potatoes so the commercial industry in Manitoba is going to be protected."
Bisht says a home gardener might not be bothered too much by an infected plant, but it's critical to take action on any late-blight infected plants, as it can become a source of infection for commercial fields.
Source : Steinbachonline