Late blight

Disease-resistant varieties are attractive because they should pose little or no risk to the environment and enable growers to reduce and in some cases eliminate the need for pesticides. In some host-pathogen systems, resistance may persist for many years, but in others it may be short-lived (Koike et al., 2000). Unfortunately, resistance is not available to counter every disease and for some of the most damaging ones, such as tomato late blight (P. infestans) and white rot (Sclerotium cepivorum) of alliums, no acceptable resistant varieties are currently available. 

Daayf, F., Adam, L. and Fernando, W.G.D. (2003). Comparative screening of bacteria for biological control of potato late blight (strain US-8), using in-vitro, detached-leaves, and whole-plant testing systems , Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, 25 (3), 276-284. 

Kuepper, G. and Sullivan, P. (2004). Organic alternatives for late blight control in potatoes , in Pest Management Technical Note, http //attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/lateblight.html... 

Leifert, C. and Wilcockson, S.J. (2005). Blight-MOP Development of a systems approach for the management of late blight (caused by Phytophthora infestans) in EU organic potato production. Final Report, Newcastle University, UK. 

Zhinong, Y., Reddy, M.S., Ryu, C.M., Mclnroy, J.A., Wilson, M. and Kloepper, J.W. (2002). Induced systemic protection against tomato late blight elicited by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria , Phytopathology, 92, 1329-1333. 

Jepson, Susan B. "Fact Sheet on Late Blight of Potato and Tomato." Oregon State University Extension Service, 2005. 

Ghorbani R, Wilcockson S, Leifert C (2006) Alternative treatments for late blight control in organic potato Antagonistic micro-organisms and compost extracts for activity against Phytophlhora infestans. Potato Res 48 171-179... 

Maneb 486 (Figure 25) is an ethylene bis-dithiocarbamate (EBDC) fungicide used in agriculture for the control of early and late blights in potatoes and tomatoes, as well as many other diseases in fruits, vegetables, field crops, and... 

The copper compounds include Bordeaux mixture and the so-called fixed coppers including the copper oxides, copper oxychloride, copper oxychloride sulfate, and related materials. Bordeaux mixture, since its discovery about 70 years ago, has been the classic fungicide for the control of late blight and still is more widely used than any other single material. Certain of its qualities, particularly adhesiveness, remain unequaled by its commercial competitors, and it is cheap and effective. However, the inconvenience of preparing Bordeaux mixture, and the unreliable quality of hydrated lime available in most places, have tempted many growers to switch to other copper compounds or organics. 

Early blight, Alternaria solani Kuhn., is a problem in some areas, particularly in. warmer climates where potato growth is not optimum. Control can be obtained by protective sprays, particularly with the organics that have been recommended for late blight control. 

The most important foliage diseases of tomatoes are the early and late blights that also attack potatoes. Because tomatoes are a warm country crop, early blight... 

Yields average around 60 bushels per acre. By growing the crop in the valleys during the rainy season and protecting the plants against late blight, it has been demonstrated repeatedly that yields of 600 bushels per acre can be obtained. 

Helgeson, J. R, Rohlman, J. D., Austin, S., Haberlach, G. T, Wielgus, S. M., Ronis, D., Zambolim, L., Tooley, R, McGrath, J. M., James, R. V., Stevenson, W. R. (1998). Somatic hybrids between Solanum bulbo-castanum and potato a new source of resistance to late blight. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 96, 738-742. 

Rasmussen, J. O., Nepeper, J. R, Kirk, H. -G., Tolstrup, K., Rasumessen, O. S. (1998). Combination of resistance to potato late blight in foliage and tubers by intraspecific dihaploid protoplast fusioa Euphytica, 102,363-370. 

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