FREDERICTON (GNB) – Home gardeners and garden centre operators preparing for the growing season now have access to new resources on late blight, a fungal disease that affects tomatoes and potatoes.
Late blight is caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans, and was in large part responsible for the Irish potato famine of the late 1840’s. While it is not harmful to humans, it can have devastating effects on potato and tomato crops. The fungus has the ability to produce millions of spores during wet weather conditions. Early detection and control of the disease is essential to ensuring it does not spread to nearby gardens and commercial fields.
The Potato Development Centre in Wicklow has developed How to Identify and Manage Late Blight on Tomatoes, available online, an informative presentation for both home gardeners and garden centre operators with tips on how to identify the disease.
An electronic brochure entitled Late Blight of Potato and Tomato in the Home Garden is also available online. Printed bilingual versions of the brochure are available for free by contacting the department at [email protected] or by calling toll-free 1-866-778-3762.
20-05-15