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Alerts
Volume 54 Number 14 Date 07/31/2009 LATE BLIGHT - The potentially devastating plant disease (caused by Phytophthora infestans) has been confirmed on tomato in two home gardens in Dane County and one commercial vegetable farm in Rock County. Infected plants at all locations have been destroyed and survey efforts are underway to determine the extent of the disease in the state. Reports from the Northeast U.S. indicate an epidemic of late blight is occurring in those states, infecting both tomatoes and potatoes. No reports have been received of infection on potato in Wisconsin to date this year, but Michigan has confirmed an infected potato field. Initial indications from UW researchers suggest that the strain of the pathogen may not be the U.S. #8 genotype last detected in the state in 2003. Tomato and potato growers should be vigilant about scouting for symptoms of the disease, and protective measures should be undertaken wherever possible. Dr. Amanda Gevens, the UW Extension Vegetable Pathologist, has posted updated fungicide recommendations at http://www.plantpath.wisc.edu/wivegdis/. To help assess the prevalence of the problem in Wisconsin this season, DATCP would like to receive reports of late blight infection from the public and commercial growers. Reports may be sent to adrian.barta@wi.gov or call 608-224-4592. Assistance with diagnosis is available from Amanda Gevens, gevens@wisc.edu or 608-890-3072, or from the UW Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic. Further updates will be available as the situation develops. -- Adrian Barta, DATCP 
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