Potato fields across southern Ontario are in full bloom with many in the Alliston, Ont. area having closed rows, a June 14 email update from Eugenia Banks said.
There has been low numbers of Colorado potato beetles reported, with Banks seeing some egg masses. Some blackleg and air pollution damage has been reported in fields.
“Blooming uses a lot of energy. Expect to see early blight, Verticillium and black dot after bloom. These are not aggressive pathogens but take advantage of a crop under stress from flowering, and heat,” Banks said.
Over the July 1 long weekend, there was variable rain across the potato regions. In the Delhi, Ont. area they received close to one inch while other regions received only a few millimetres.
Related Articles
Potato Development Varies Across Southern Ontario
Hot Hot Hot (and Dry) Weather Weighing on Canadian Potato Crop
