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How can I protect my potatoes against diseases like silver scurf and Fusarium tuber rot? —Worried in Pasco, Washington |
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Silver scurf and Fusarium tuber rot decrease quality and marketability
of potatoes, ultimately lowering profits. Silver scurf can cause
skin blemishes that often discolor or distort the natural look of
the potato tuber. Fusarium tuber rot can be seed-borne and tends
to aggravate the problem of seed decay, resulting in poor stands.
Good IPM practices, such as using clean certified seed and seed treatments, keeping the window between vine-kill and harvest at the required length, reducing bruises during harvest and good storage management practices can help reduce silver scurf. Growers should take extra measures to ensure their seed is protected. Using a seed treatment, such as CruiserMaxx™ Potatoes, is an important step in managing diseases. Maxim® 4FS, the fungicide component of CruiserMaxx Potatoes, contains the active ingredient fludioxonil, which can provide excellent protection against some of the major seed-and soil-borne diseases. |
