Late blight spreading in Idaho potato fields

The words “Late Blight” are some of the least favorite to the ears of potato farmers in Idaho.

“Late blight is probably the most serious plant disease in the world,” said Dr. Wayne Jones, the University of Idaho eastern district director. “It can take a potato field, be it four acres or four hundred acres, and take the entire field in ten days and kill it.”

The fungus thrives in warm humid conditions. With this summer’s thunderstorms consistently keeping fields wetter than normal, conditions are prime for the crop killing fungus to thrive.

Right now several counties all across the Snake River Plain have scattered reports of the fungus, but it hasn’t hit catastrophic levels yet.

“This year has the potential to be bad,” said Jones. “Right now it’s not too bad, but it is in a lot of different places so it has the potential to explode.”

University of Idaho researchers say the best way farmers can keep the blight at bay is to use specific fungicides about once a week.

There are also two public meetings available on Tuesday, August 17, to help farmers manage the late blight as storage season approaches.

The first is at the American Falls High School Auditorium from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

The second is in Idaho Falls at the University of Idaho Tingey Administration Building auditorium from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm.