Plant disease - early blight or target spot of potatoes

Authors

W P. Cass Smith, Department of AgricultureFollow
M Hardie, Department of AgricultureFollow
B N. Lowe, Department of Agriculture

Keywords

Western Australia, Plant disease, Early blight, Target spot, Potato disease

Disciplines

Biosecurity

First Page Number

70

Last Page Number

72

ISSN

0021-8618

Abstract

Early blight or target spot caused by the fungus Alternaria solani is a widespread disease of potatoes which in Western Australia is most prevalent in crops dug in autumn and early summer. The disease may attack both foliage and tubers, but the tuber rot phase of the disease has hitherto caused most concern to local growers because it causes obvious losses in storage. The less obvious but more serious effects of the foliage blight have generally been overlooked, chiefly because the disease usually develops late in the season when the crops are approaching maturity. However recent spray trials with new fungicides have clearly demonstrated that the destructiveness of the foliage attack has been greatly underestimated, for it may cause considerable reduction in yield.

Recommended Citation

Cass Smith, W P.; Hardie, M; and Lowe, B N. (1953) "Plant disease - early blight or target spot of potatoes," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 2: No. 3, Article 8.
Available at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3/vol2/iss3/8