Late blight continues spread in Eastern Idaho

Continued wet August weather has caused late blight infections to proliferate throughout Eastern Idaho, according to University of Idaho Extension potato pathologist Phil Nolte.

As of Aug. 26, Nolte said eight fields in Fremont, Madison, Bingham, Bonneville and Power counties had confirmed cases of late blight, which thrives in high humidity. Based on reports from crop consultants and field men who have been out scouting fields for the disease, however, Nolte is certain infections are far more rampant.

Nolte believes growers have simply become more aware of the fungal disease and are no longer seeking his assistance with testing.

Nolte said most Eastern Idaho growers have been aggressively stepping up fungicidal spraying and have caught it in time to limit patches of infection to just a few feet. He’s optimistic that a change to more conventional weather patterns will stop late blight before area growers take a significant financial hit, aside from increased input costs associated with spraying.

He suggested growers in the region may limit the need for extra spraying by inducing vine kill early and mixing in a fungicide.