TOP 5 PESTS AND DISEASES IN POTATOES

By Maryann Gathiuni  |   Writer

1. Early And Late Blight

Late blight and early blight are two diseases that affect potato plants of the Solanaceae family. While the early blight is caused by the fungus Alternaria in relatively warmer temperatures, late blight is caused by the oomycetes Phytophthora in cooler temperatures. Blight can cause 100% loss of crop in five days. Chemical treatment is used to prevent and cure blight.

The following are approved and enhanced products that are vital to farmers:

TAJIRI 720WP, META META 720WP, MASTA GOLD 720WG, KENTHANE 800WP, PABLO 600WG, TOMGOLD 440SC, STOPDEW 250WP.

 

2. Fusarium Wilt

Fusarium wilt of potato is a vascular disease caused by different Fusarium species. Fusarium wilt causes foliage to yellow, wilt, then turn brown and die. Older leaves generally discolor, wilt, and die first, followed by death of the entire plant. Wilt symptoms are more severe when temperatures are high and plants are stressed for water.

Since Fusarium wilt is from a fungi in the soil treatment of the disease is by drenching the soil with TOPGUARD 500SC.

 

3. Nematodes

Potato cyst nematodes are worm-like microscopic pests. They feed on potato roots and other plants in the Solanaceae family. Root damage stunts plants, causes delayed blossoming, yellow leaves, and wilting, and eventually kills them. Potato cyst nematodes prevent the plant from absorbing nutrients.

BEST nematicide: FOSCAP TOP250ME, NEMAMECTIN 50EW.

 

4. Potato Tuber Moth

The larvae generate mines in the leaves as well as weakening of the stem, which could result in breakage. Caterpillar feeding routes in tubers can only be seen when the potato is cut open. The holes in the tubers render them unmarketable and allow infections to penetrate.

To control the moth use of certified seed is recommended and soil drenching using FOSCAP TOP 25OME.

 

5. Sucking Pests

Sucking pests include a variety of pests that extract plant sap using their sucking and piercing mouth parts. It also includes plant-feeding mites that are problematic as well. Sucking pests include aphids, leaf-hoppers, thrips, white-fly, flies, bugs, and mites.

The following products are the most recommended for control: ARAGON 220ZC, ACETAK TOP 700WG & VENDEX 50EC.

HERBAL STIMULANT  "MUGUKA"

By Maryann Gathiuni  |   Writer

More small scale farmers in central Kenya have switched from growing food crops to planting and harvesting an herbal stimulant known locally as "Muguka". The farmers say they now make almost three times as much from growing “Muguka”  instead of food crops, but the local county government wants farmers to create a balance between producing "Muguka" and food.

It is the crop that puts food on their table. “Muguka” is mostly affected by Downey Mildew (a fungal disease). We Kenagro suppliers Ltd have a solution for this disease, use TABIBU 500SC (Thiophanate Methyl 400g/L + Hexaconazole 100g/L) for the control of  Downey mildew in “Muguka”