Late Blight primarily affects potatoes and tomatoes, but can also infect related host plants, such as eggplant, pepper, petunia and Solanaceous weeds (nightshade, wild tomato). Late Blight is caused by an aggressive fungal pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, and develops rapidly under wet/moist environmental conditions. The Late Blight pathogen only overwinters (i.e. carries over from one season to another) on living tissues and there is a risk that the disease could be carried over in infected potatoes (cull piles, seed potatoes or potatoes saved by gardeners), or could potentially be introduced via imported potato seed or plant material, such as tomato transplants.
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) recognizes that there is a potential threat of another Late Blight outbreak in 2011, if weather conditions are favorable and infected plant material is available to start the cycle of infection. In order to try and prevent a repeat of the 2010 outbreak, and to protect those crop industries in Alberta that could be hurt by an epidemic of Late Blight, ARD is committed to increasing awareness of Late Blight symptoms and management strategies amongst commercial potato, tomato and bedding plant growers and suppliers, and both home and market gardeners.
As a part of this initiative, we have contacted a wide range of groups, including commercial industry associations and groups (potato producers, market gardeners, greenhouse vegetable and bedding plant producers, garden centres, Hutterite colonies, etc.), Ag colleges, counties, municipalities, Ag Service Boards, Ag Fieldmen, Applied Research Associations, Horticulture Societies/clubs, as well as a wide range of grocery and garden centre retailers in Alberta. We recognize that ARD staff have contact with a wide range of groups and individuals across the province and, as such, could potentially assist in the effort to increase awareness and knowledge in industry and the public.
We have prepared a range of educational materials detailing the symptoms and general management practices for Late Blight in order to assist in recognizing and dealing with this disease. These materials include colour posters of various sizes (8.5x11, 11x17, 18x24) and factsheets. Additional online and electronic resources are also being developed and will soon be available on Ropin’ the Web. An electronic copy of the small poster and the information factsheet is attached, for your information. Copies of this material have been provided to ARD Field Offices.
If you would like to receive hard copies of these various materials, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 310-FARM as soon as possible. Please feel free to share these materials with those that can assist in these efforts and thereby help everyone become more aware of Late Blight. FYI – other ARD staff involved in this initiative include Dr. Ron Howard, Dr. Michele Konschuh and Dr. Michael Harding.
Late Blight is a community disease, with the potential to infect various types of plants in the tomato family in fields and gardens across the province. Everyone’s participation is required to create a broad public awareness of Late Blight and to successfully manage this disease. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
For more information on Late Blight, visit www.agriculture.alberta.ca
Sincerely,
Rob
Robert C.J. Spencer, BSA, M.Sc, P.Ag.
Commercial Horticulture Specialist
Alberta Ag-Info Centre
Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development
AB Toll Free: 310-FARM (3276)
Tel: 403-742-7563
Fax: 403-742-7527
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.agriculture.alberta.ca
