Forewarning advisory for late blight of potato
Over the last one week, the temperature is ranging between 14-23 oC coupled with high night time relative humidity (>90 per cent), hazy weather and leaf wetness due to dew formation in major potato belt of Punjab. The prevailing weather conditions are becoming congenial for the outbreak and spread of late blight in the districts of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, SBS Nagar and Ropar.
City Air News
Nov 18, 2024 12:20
0
Ludhiana, November 18, 2024: Over the last one week, the temperature is ranging between 14-23 oC coupled with high night time relative humidity (>90 per cent), hazy weather and leaf wetness due to dew formation in major potato belt of Punjab. The prevailing weather conditions are becoming congenial for the outbreak and spread of late blight in the districts of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, SBS Nagar and Ropar.
The first symptoms of late blight appear as small, circular to irregular-shaped water-soaked spots along margin or tips of leaves. During cool, moist weather, these lesions expand rapidly into large, dark brown or black lesions, often appearing greasy. White coloured cottony growth of the fungus may be observed on the underside the diseased leaves. The entire crop canopy may be damaged if not controlled in time.
Potato Growers are advised to monitor their fields regularly. Apply preventive spray of contact fungicide like Indofil M- 45/Antracol/Kavach @ 500-700g or Copper oxychloride 50 WP @ 750- 1000g/acre in 250-350 litres of water before the appearance of late blight at 7 days interval.
