Botrytis blight a problem for Michigan potatoes this year

According to a report from Michigan State University, Botrytis blight is causing problems in potatoes throughout Michigan this season.

The fungus Botrytis cinerea causes Botrytis blight, also known as tan spot or gray mold. The pathogen has an extremely wide host range with well over 200 reported hosts including snap beans, other edible beans and soybeans, lettuce, tomatoes, various soft fruits, peas, peppers and many herbaceous perennials, and is found wherever potatoes are grown.

The disease is usually the result of excessive humidity and other stress factors that may include presence of potato early die, excessive rates of evapotranspiration and nitrogen deficiency.

For more details from Willie Kirk and Adam Merlington, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, click here.