b'Stopping Late Blight NaturallyAAFC researchers have discovered selenium can help stop late blight, paving the way for a new organic friendly prevention method.BY: ASHLEY ROBINSONLATE BLIGHT CAN wreak havoc onBut there were some inconsistencies afterand animals. As his studies wrapped, he crops. Its a fast-spreading disease that causesapplying selenium in soil and I switchedstarted looking into what else selenium mold symptoms on potato and tomatofrom soil application for disease protectioncould help with.crops. While there are chemical ways toto foliar applicationone important foliarP.E.I. is deficient in selenium in the control it, concern is the potential evolutiondisease identified after discussion with asoil. And so, they were looking at it almost of the disease and its development ofcolleague was late blight, Bourlaye Fofana,like as a nutritive additive product in resistance. However, a new natural methodan Agriculture and Agri-Food (AAFC)micro quantities, Rick Peters, a plant may just solve this problem providing ageneticist, says in a phone interview. pathologist with AAFC, says. Though they viable control method. In 2014, Fofana studied how selenium,were looking at adding it as an essential At origin, we were not targetinga micronutrient or mineral found in soil,micronutrient, we found disease protection specifically late blight. Were targeting somewater and some foods, could be boosted inas a side benefit.soil borne pathogens, including some fungalfoods such as potatoes, soybean and flax.Peters teamed up with Fofana on his pathogens and disease-causing bacteria.Selenium is essential to the diets of humansresearch along with PhD student Ashok Somalraju and AAFC research scientist Jason McCallum. The team developed liquid solutions containing various concentrations of selenium and sprayed Selenium treatments on potato plants in greenhouse. PHOTO: AAFC38SPUDSMART.COMWinter 2024'