Late Blight News

This past season, the severity of late blight in the Maritimes and in the Eastern US was unprecedented. The disease developed very early, and the cool, rainy weather provided favorable conditions for spores to spread. Clouds protected the spores from the lethal effects of ultraviolet radiation. Stormy weather spread spores in wind currents. Rain washed the spores out of air, onto the plants and provided the moisture needed for infection.

Researchers in the Eastern US found that this past season tomatoes were slightly more susceptible than potatoes to late blight. Are we dealing with a new strain? This will take time to sort out based on characterizing a large number of isolates collected from tomatoes and potatoes over a wide area

New Late Blight Strain Identification

Rick Peters, an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher based in PEI, will isolate the late blight fungus from infected tubers. If you find tubers infected with late blight you can send the tubers to Rick at the address below. Tubers should have as much healthy tissue as possible. Send the samples by courier to:

Rick Peters
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
440 University Ave
Charlottetown, PEI
C1A 4N6

Eugenia will be sending a couple of samples. If you wish, I can include your sample with my shipment. Give me a call (519-766-5337) if you wish to do this. Growers' names will be kept confidential.