How to kill the mildew on a potato?
The mildew in potato (also known as late blight ) is a severe disease that causes economic losses along anywhere in the world. One hundred fifty years ago this disease caused the destruction of many crops, which caused a great famine throughout Europe (and this is logical since by that time the potato was a portion of food that represented 80% of the total food intake).
Although today it can be treated with fungicide, mildew in potato is presenting some resistance, so it does not always work the way you would expect.
The primary forms of proliferating you have been through natural agents such as wind, through rainwater, irrigation water, by the fact of using tools in different cultures, as well as the remains’ crop.
What are the symptoms of downy mildew in potato?
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Mildew in potato has very different symptoms with other plantations (for example, symptoms of downy mildew in cannabis cultivation vary widely).
The most characteristic symptom is the appearance of spots of light / dark green leaves of the plant; even they will become necrotic if the disease continues. That is when the lower leaf surface acquires a downy mildew characteristic white color. If the conditions of humidity and temperature are not correct, the mildew could completely drain the plant.
The tuber also presents some varied symptoms: it gives a dry brown rot which will be extended to the inside of the potato, acquiring a much darker hue. Texture also gives changes, making this more granular.
How does downy mildew in potato
Usually, I fungus blight in potato overwinter in tubers but also can do so in piles of other crops. Infection usually occurs when temperatures are low, in combination with a high relative humidity% (maybe in periods of cloudy skies or fog).
Once an infection has occurred, this will spread rapidly over the entire crop if the relative humidity remains high, but if temperatures while also evolving.
We will have to take special care during January, February, and March. Depending on the local climate of the place of cultivation, we must end the precautions.
How to prevent and control downy mildew in potato?
Removal of infected parts
It is the first thing we have to do to eliminate the infection from spreading. We will have to review each sheet, excluding those that do not appear to be in good condition. We will have to do the same with the stems, even with the plants themselves.
Aeration
Poor aeration can facilitate colonizing the mildew in potato. This may be because the foliage is very dense and tight at the same time.
Pruning and thinning can be an excellent resource; but if the problem is still present, the best thing will be to change the plant site.
Means and preparations ecological
Organic preparations and fungicides are the best remedies to end the plague. But if you do not want to subject the plant to them, some solutions can be beneficial.
For example, we can prepare remedy chamomile (50 g flowers per L of water, with a dilution of infused per 1L of water 9L). There are also remedies with ponytails and garlic very effective.
These tips will prevent the mildew in potato.
