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Silver scurf can be a tricky disease to control. Caused by the
fungus Helminthosporium solani, the disease has progressed
from generally inconsequential to a serious problem since
the 1990’s because of high humidity in storage areas and
developed resistance to thiabendazole fungicides. Silver
scurf causes small, light brown, circular spots with indistinct
borders appearing on tubers. Affected tuber areas take on a
silvery sheen, especially when the tuber surface is wet. The
longer mature tubers remain in the soil, the more severe the
problem becomes. Fluctuations in storage temperature at
high relative humidity (>90%) can result in condensation on
tuber surfaces, allowing the fungus to sporulate and colonize
new tissue. Sporulation is more abundant on young lesions
than old ones.
To ensure seed pieces are protected from the start, growers
should use a seed treatment such as CruiserMaxx® Potato
insecticide/fungicide. The fungicide component of CruiserMaxx
Potato, Maxim® 4FS, contains the active ingredient fludioxonil,
which inhibits silver scurf spore production and prevents
dissemination from the infected seed. In addition, CruiserMaxx
Potato provides excellent protection against some of the
other major seed- and soil-borne diseases as well as a
broad spectrum of early-season insect pests to help protect
yield potential. |
