Potato scab causes a kind of wound on the surface of a white potato vine and may also cause pitting . The lesions are not attractive , which is an government issue when growing for food market . Scab does n’t harm the plant itself and you could do it in your tuber by processing them . Still , it affects your harvest home to some extent .
About Potato Scab
Potato blackleg is the result of a bacterial infection due to Streptomyces itch or S. acidiscabies . It typically remains in the territory and can infect subsequent crops even if you exercise craw rotation . The severity of the infection can vary from time of year to season and even from one field to another . Cropping account , soil texture , soil moisture and planting susceptible varieties can all affect the severity of the infection .
Recognizing Scab
Scab lesion can look quite different even when induce by the same organism . You will not find them until youharvestthe Tuber . The three main type are russet , erumpent and pitted :
Potato Scab vs. Acid Scab
Although both of these are bacterial infections induce by link organisms , soilpH plays a character . A soil pH of 5.2 or modest help suppress or control common scab . Acid scab seems to be limit to several states in the Northeast and can fall out in soils with a pH as low as 4.0 . Acid rat can also occur in soils where the pH is in high spirits . The lesion are similar in both .
Scab and Potato Varieties
S. itch occurs in nigh all soils . Planting scab - susceptible miscellanea tends to make the job worse , as the plants provide a master of ceremonies that take the pathogen increase chop-chop . rotate potato with grains and other non - host plants can reduce the population . However , in the right environmental weather condition , scab can still go on in a field even if you have n’t planted murphy for several years .
Lowering pH
If your job is common scab , keep the soil pH below 5.2 can be helpful . Compost , ripened manure and organic territory amendment such as alfalfa repast increase humus and lower pH. Pine needles are acid and can also help oneself if use to the soil or composted . Elemental sulfur can aid if it is well dissipate by thorough mixture . It is only effective when used in summertime and will take several weeks to month to dampen down .
Prevention Strategies
Use blackleg - repellent varieties such as Chieftain , Norland , Viking , Gold Rush , and Russet Burbank . revolve your potato growing area with small grains , corn or alfalfa . Do n’t plant radishes , beets or carrots , which are substitute host . Do n’t let potatoes become emphasise for water , specially once the industrial plant starts to form tubers ( afterflowering ) .
