Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans):

The disease affects all plant parts, viz., leaves, stems and tubers. It appears on leaves as small pale green spots, which enlarge into large water soaked lesions. A white mildew (cottony growth) ring forms around the dead areas on the lower side of leaves. In dry weather, water soaked areas turn necrotic brown. On stems, light brown elongated lesions are formed which may encircle the stem. Tubers develop reddish brown, shallow to deep, dry rot lesions. The affected tuber flesh becomes 'caramalised' with a sugary texture. Frequently metallic tinge develops on the margins of the affected tissue. Tubers carrying the pathogen are the real carriers and serve as the source of the disease in the subsequent season. Infected seed tubers grow into healthy plants but under favourable conditions for the disease (10-12OC and RH > 80%) development, the disease infects the stem and lower leaves.

Control:

Seed potatoes should be checked thoroughly before storage. All blighted tubers must be removed and buried deep in the soil. Ridges should be made high enough to cover all daughter tubers and reduce chance of their infection upon exposure. If the weather conditions (temperature 10-20OC, RH>80%) are favourable for the disease development irrigation should be stopped immediately. If essential only light irrigation is given. When the disease affects 75% crop foliage, the haulms should be cut, removed from the field, and buried deep. Protective sprays with a contact fungicide, viz., Mancozeb (0.2%) before appearance of the disease is effective. Subsequent sprays if necessary should be repeated at 8 to 10 days interval. In case of severe blight attack, one or two sprays of Metalaxyl (0.25 %) are given to check the further spread of the disease. Mancozeb is applied at an interval of 15 days after the Metalaxyl application.