The potato blight season has got underway in Great Britain with blight found on dumps in Kent. While such reports are not unusual at this time of year, it is important to be aware of the infection risk posed by cull potato piles, volunteers and solanaceous weeds, says Dr David Cooke of the James Hutton Institute. “Last year we had very early reports then it dried up and blight did not get started until July. But if it continues to be wet until planting, inoculum could stay active and that would be an issue.” Potato agronomist John Sarup says monitoring crops will be particularly important. He adds. “Start early and keep up with spraying. Start with something with early kickback containing cymoxanil. I would not be recommending fluazinam. More
