Fresh Market Potato Varieties, Phytophthora Pink Rot, & Water Management Meeting

Potato growers have an opportunity to view standard and new fresh market potato varieties and lines, hear how to use integrated management to help deal with the potentially devastating Phytophthora pink rot disease, get an update on late blight, and discuss how to manage excess muck water. The meeting will be held at Williams Farms field on Marion-E. Williamson Rd, and at the packing house at 5077 Russell Road, Marion. 

Don Halseth, Cornell potato specialist, established a large trial and will be evaluating the maturity, yield and marketability of white, red and some specialty varieties. Growers will get to hear what he's learned so far.  They'll also have an opportunity to describe how the varieties they're growing are performing. Tom Zitter, Cornell plant pathologist, will describe the integrated approach needed to combat pink rot. No fungicides can provide complete control. Cultural practices, such as making use of varietal resistance, where available, and crop rotation, are essential. In addition, significant attention must be given to water management (reducing compaction/deep ripping, tiling and ditching, etc.) since pink rot is a water-driven disease. Several fungicides have activity against the pink rot organism, and the choice, rates, application method and timing will be discussed. There will also be an update on this year's late blight development and how best to protect the crop.  

Finally, there will be discussion regarding management of muck water by Lindsey Gerstenslager, Manager, Wayne County Soil & Water Conservation District, and area growers. Growers have made significant investments in, and changes to, their water management systems over the last few years. What has paid off? What still needs to be done? Is any assistance available?

Meeting sponsored by Syngenta.

The full meeting agenda is available below. 

1.25 DEC plus CCA credits will be available. Cost - $10. Pay at the event. 

Please pre-register for dinner by Thursday, August 22, 2013 by contacting Carol MacNeil.

Interested in sponsoring this meeting? Learn more about this opportunity. We would greatly appreciate your support.