Pests and diseases(Irish potatoes)
Ifoto igaragaza indwara y’imvura
- Mildew is caused by a fungus called Phtophtora infestans. It is frequent in rainy seasons.
- The disease attacks leaves, stems and even the tubers.
- Affected plants leaves get brown, and later on, die.
Means of fighting against the disease:
- Plant resistant varieties and non contaminated seeds;
- All potatoes must be removed from the field at the harvest;
- Uproot any potato plant available in the field, since it could constitute a source of the disease,
- Ridge properly the potatoes.
During rainy and wet seasons:
Two weeks later:
- One a week, apply dithane of Mencozeb (50 gr for 20 L of water) on leaves.
- Rotate potatoes with other plants from other plant families.
Potato bacteria wilt
Picture showing potato bacteria wilt
Potato tuberworm moth
- Potato tuberworm moth: This disease is transmitted by one insect of butterflies family called “Phthorimaea operculella”;
- Its larva dig galleries in the veins of leaves that get brown;
- These insects severely damage tubers (potatoes);
- This is remarkable by galleries made by the insects and by blackish excrements of the same insects;
- Insects damages from the fields may continue their harmful action on the production in storage.
Means of fighting against the disease:
- The farmer is recommended to plant clean and disease free potato seeds and use Deltamethrine or Cypemethrine as prevention treatment.