Weather the Key Issue at Teagasc Potato Events
Issued June 21st, 2002
Dealing with the impact of the weather will be the top discussion point at seven special farm walks being held by Teagasc in major potato growing areas, starting on Tuesday , 2 July.
Announcing details of the events, Tom Maher, National Potato Specialist with Teagasc, said almost 2,000 acres of potatoes remained to be planted at the onset of the wet weather in mid May.
''The likelihood of these crops being planted now is slim. If farmers do get an opportunity to plant over the next couple of weeks, they should significantly reduce the level of nitrogen fertiliser. Only about 125 units of nitrogen per hectare should be applied. Otherwise, the crop will mature too late and will be very prone to blight during the autumn'', he said.
Tom Maher said that because of weather the disease, blackleg, is now a major problem on the early potato variety, British Queens.
''There is no chemical cure and all growers can do is let the crop mature and hope the blackleg tubers will rot out'', he advised.
He said blight is now widespread, with a few fields of maincrop potatoes ploughed out where the disease was out of control.
''Regular spraying is the best defence against blight but farmers should also search for blight sources such as potato dumps and 'volunteers' in cereal crops'', he said.
He warned potato farmers to be on their guard against a severe onslaught of slugs from mid July. The varieties Rooster and Maris Piper are most at risk.
The Teagasc potato walks get underway in Wexford on Tuesday, 2 July. For the full list of walks, click here
