WSU Extension

Hortsense

Potato
 
Disease
Bacterial soft rot and blackleg 
Late blight 
Potato leafroll mosaic (Leafroll) 
Powdery scab 
Rhizoctonia canker (Black scurf) 
Scab (Common) 
Verticillium wilt (Potato early dying) 
Insect
Colorado potato beetle 
Potato flea beetles 
Slugs 
Wireworms 



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Caption: Potato late blight foliar symptoms
Photo by: R.S. Byther
  
Potato : Late blight
(revision date: 3/22/2021)


Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Biology
Late blight of potato is caused by a fungus which also causes disease on tomato, eggplant, and other members of the potato family (Solanaceae). Gray-green, water-soaked spots appear on leaves and stems. These quickly enlarge into dark blotches which may be surrounded by a pale green margin. During moist weather, a sparse, whitish fungal growth may be seen on the underside of leaf lesions. Tubers may be infected either by spores washed into the soil or during harvest. Infected tubers show areas of somewhat metallic brown or purple discoloration followed by a brownish dry or wet rot. Disease development is favored by cool, rainy weather and may be more severe under sprinkler irrigation. The fungus overwinters primarily on potato tubers and is spread by wind.
Management Options


Non-Chemical Management
  • Plant only healthy, disease-free seedlings.
  • Do not plant potatoes and tomatoes in close proximity.
  • Remove infected plants or plant parts when symptoms are noticed to reduce spread of disease.
  • Diseased plant materials should be destroyed or buried deeply (two feet or more).
  • Remove plant debris from the garden in the fall. Do not compost diseased materials.
  • Space plantings to provide good air circulation.
  • Avoid overhead watering.
  • Do not dig tubers from infected vines until at least two weeks after vines are completely dead (no green stems remaining). Avoid injuring tubers.
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

Apply at first sign of late blight. Make repeat applications according to label directions. Copper products offer limited control and their use alone to control late blight is not recommended. Copper fungicide applications can be alternated with other fungicide applications.

Listed below are examples of pesticides that are legal in Washington. Always read and follow all label directions.
  • Bonide Copper Fungicide Spray or Dust RTU [Organic]
    Active ingredient: basic copper sulfate  |  EPA reg no: 4-58
  • Bonide Fung-onil Multi-Purpose Fungicide Conc
    Active ingredient: chlorothalonil  |  EPA reg no: 60063-9-4
  • Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide Conc/Organic Gardening
    Active ingredient: copper octanoate  |  EPA reg no: 67702-2-4
  • GardenTech Daconil Fungicide Conc
    Active ingredient: chlorothalonil  |  EPA reg no: 67572-82-71004
  • Monterey Liqui-Cop Copper Fungicidal Garden Spray
    Active ingredient: copper-ammonia complex  |  EPA reg no: 54705-7
  • Organocide Plant Doctor
    Active ingredient: mono- and di-potassium salts of phosphorous acid  |  EPA reg no: 71962-1-70179
  • Ortho Max Garden Disease Control Conc
    Active ingredient: chlorothalonil  |  EPA reg no: 239-2522
  • Soap-Shield Flowable Liquid Copper Fungicide [Organic]
    Active ingredient: copper octanoate  |  EPA reg no: 67702-2-56872
  • This list may not include all products registered for this use.
Images

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Caption: Potato late blight foliar symptoms
Photo by: R.S. Byther
Caption: Potato late blight sporulation on underside of leaf
Photo by: R.S. Byther
Caption: Potato late blight infection on tuber
Photo by: R.S. Byther