Post by Pharmer Phil on Feb 18, 2019 15:36:10 GMT -6
Received this from the Sustainable Ag group I belong to, may save someone that orders from afar from failure..(the potato sources mentioned are all from the east) :
If you are planning to buy seed potatoes this spring, I want to caution you about a new strain of Dickeya bacteria that is causing a unique type of Blackleg disease in potato crops. Since 2016, seed potatoes coming from Maine have caused serious outbreaks of this disease throughout many Eastern states that use Maine seed potatoes. This disease is not routinely tested for when seed lots are certified, and testing is not yet required by law in Maine. Organic seed potatoes also carry this disease, so buying certified organic seed offers no protection from this disease.
So far, the Midwest and Western states remain free of Dickeya. This disease causes severe rot in potatoes with crop losses as high as 80%. I hope this disease never spreads west. I would encourage you to buy Minnesota or North Dakota certified seed potatoes if possible. If you do buy seed potatoes from Maine or other Eastern states, be sure to ask the seller about Dickeya and Blackleg testing and prevention.
So far, the Midwest and Western states remain free of Dickeya. This disease causes severe rot in potatoes with crop losses as high as 80%. I hope this disease never spreads west. I would encourage you to buy Minnesota or North Dakota certified seed potatoes if possible. If you do buy seed potatoes from Maine or other Eastern states, be sure to ask the seller about Dickeya and Blackleg testing and prevention.
