Ways to reduce the impact of black scurf on potatoes

Rhizoctonia solani causes a number of common disease symptoms found in potato
crops including black scurf, leading to skin disfiguration, stunted plants and restricted
stem and plant growth. Syngenta Technical Services Lead Dave Antrobus in Australia examines the best management practices potato growers can undertake to minimise the damage caused by this disease. Writing in the latest issue of Potatoes Australia, he says Rhizoctonia solani causes a number of common disease symptoms found in potato crops including black scurf, leading to skin disfiguration, stunted plants and restricted stem and plant growth. There are specific conditions that help AG3 to survive and thrive. Its impact on potato crops depends largely on soil conditions at, and soon after, planting. Cool, wet soils typical of this time of year can often result in significant economic damage. The thing to remember with this disease is that complete
control is not possible, however the severity of the pathogen can be limited to a relatively small impact with best practice management. Read article on p36 of the June/July issue of Potatoes Australia