Humid weather brings blight to Island potato crops
Last Updated: Thursday, July 16, 2009 | 6:59 AM AT
CBC News
The weather is being blamed for two cases of late blight found this week in P.E.I. potato fields.
Late blight first appears on the leaves of the plant. (CBC) "It wasn't completely unexpected," Brian Beaton, the potato co-ordinator with the P.E.I. Department of Agriculture told CBC News on Wednesday.
"One case is in Mount Mellick, just east of Charlottetown, and one case is in Park Corner, north of Kensington. With the weather conditions that we've had over the last few weeks, with the dark, damp, cloudy days, it's been ideal conditions for late blight development in the potato crop."
Beaton said potato growers are putting fungicides on their crops to help reduce the spread of the blight.
Blight can be a devastating disease for potato crops, working its way from the leaves down into the potatoes, where it destroys them. The fungus was the cause of the Irish potato famine, but with modern farming techniques can generally be controlled.
Share Tools
Latest Prince Edward Island News Headlines
- Liquor store discussion heats up legislature
- The Opposition raised questions in the provincial legislature Friday over the decision to close the Wood Islands liquor store. more »
- EI rules will hurt primary trades, says P.E.I. premier
- While reaction continues to brew over Thursday's announcement about changes to the Employment Insurance program, P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz says provincial officials will be meeting with the federal government to discuss how the new rules will affect Islanders. more »
- HST to hit low-income earners hardest
- Although the proposed harmonized sales tax is good for business, it will hit low-income Islanders the hardest when it's rung in next April, said economists. more »
- Charlottetown businessman named to Order of Canada
- Charlottetown's Fred Hyndman was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada Friday. more »
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after completing a six-game series win Friday night over the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Raw stories about bullying emerged when a video booth was set up inside a Quebec high school. more »
- EI rules will hurt primary trades, says P.E.I. premier
- P.E.I. quality of life second-worst, says study
- HST to hit low-income earners hardest
- 902 numbers running out in N.S., P.E.I.
- Islanders worried over EI changes
- Charlottetown businessman named to Order of Canada
- Atlantic Lottery replacing old VLTs
- Tourism P.E.I. handed out $60,000 in free golf passes
- Red Shores Raceway's fastest horse put down
