IPM Discussion Group

Potato Late Blight On-line Workshop
Late Blight Management
Discussion Forums

Education & IPM

Welcome to the Education and IPM Discussion Session. The following recommendations came out of the Tucson workshop.

1. Endorse IPM (integrated pest management) approach using all cost effective, socially acceptable and environmentally benign appropriate technology and tactics.

2. Policy makers (Ag Canada/Mexico/USDA) develop and implement vision/goals incorporating existing education tools (bulletins/video/1-800 numbers/CD ROM) and other computer driven and traditional media. Target traditional and new audiences and stake holders.

3. Develop and implement comprehensive educational programs specific to targeted group (growers, seed-potato inspectors, processors,etc) relevant to their unique goals. The group also recommended that USDA specifically provide funding for development and implementation of regional training and workshops.

4. Develop programs to train all crop management personnel (e.g., growers, field managers, inspectors, extension agents, etc.) on accurate diagnosis and detection of late blight in plant materials and tubers.

5. Promote the recognition of fungal signs (mycelium and spore forms), disease prevention or management based on accurate understanding of fungal biology and disease cycle, and use of standardized scientific terminology (or nomenclature) for genotypes and new strains of the pathogen.

6. Develop funding for late blight information transfer to potato and tomato clientele.

7. Fund, organize and promote North American Potato Late Blight Workshop II for 1999.

8. Develop potato late blight WWW site.

9. Recommend that the upcoming APS interactive North American Potato Late Blight Workshop continue through April and May 1997.

Please join in the discussion below dealing with Educational priorities and Integrated Pest Management.

mod13 - 06:58pm Feb 20, 1997
We are currently developing a potato late blight IPM web site for all interested people. The main page contains links to the following categories: chemical control, host plant resistance, cultural control, symptomology and identification. For example, the symptomology section will contain images of late blight symptoms as well as imagines of "look alike" diseases. The education module will have figures with "Take home messages" which can be used in the development of outreach programs.

We are curious to learn what our viewers would like to see on the late blight IPM education site.

Howard F. Schwartz - 11:24am Feb 25, 1997
I think that the web site should be illustrated with high quality pictures of early, mid and late stages of infection by the late blight fungus, in addition to other potato diseases (biotic and abiotic) that might be confused with late blight.

Graphic illustration of potato late blight models, environmental parameters, growing degree days in relation to potato growth, etc would be helpful to visualize interactions between the crop and pathogen, and the importance of timing of disease management controls.

During the season, an updated graphical map of potato production areas would be useful to illustrate confirmed potato late blight sightings and progress over time (updated 1 - 3 times weekly) as different production areas proceed from planting to harvest.

Similarly, maps that illustrate environmental patterns (daily or weekly high temperature, rainfall, hours of high humidity, etc) and forecasts for the potato production areas would be quite useful for late blight forecasts and to compare with subsequent disease progress.

Bill Brown - 11:53am Feb 28, 1997
Part of our assignment as the organizers of the workshop is to put together a generic late blight grower's bulletin. In the workshop workbook I included a 4 page bulletin that Gary Franc (Wyoming), Eric Kerr (Nebrask) and I did for our region. I also included a l sheet bulletin from Bill Fry (Cornell) and a bulletin on potato foliar diseases, including late blight. In discussion with numerous people we are not convinced that a generic bulletin is the way to go. Rather either through APS net or APS Press develop a generic picture sheet and life cycle, then let different extension, commercial or other groups use that to tailor information for their particular area. Along with this, maybe APS Press could come up with a set of flash cards with essential symptom pictures and basic information. These could then be used by field men, growers and others in the field. I would like to hear some reaction to what others feel would be the most appropriate.

Diane Karasevicz - 08:08am Apr 17, 1997
Cornell Univ. Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
Let me tell you a little about what we are doing at Cornell University (New York State) to educate the public about late blight. Commercial farmers are very nervous about late blight spreading from home gardens to their farms.

We have a new version of a pamphlet (no pictures) available for distribution through extension offices and local Agway stores in New York State. I have recently developed a poster (with several color photos) we are going to make available for a fee (the cost is still in the works- hopefully around $10) for use in educating home gardeners. The poster and the brochure work well together. I also developed a diagnostic lab fact sheet a couple of years ago (some black and white photos)on late blight.

Lastly I am putting together a short slide set for our extension lending library (Homes and Grounds topics. However, I do not have any slides of late blight in a home garden. I have several photos of commerical fields being wiped out, but it would help to show the late blight damage that can be occur in the context of a home garden (potatoes and/or tomatoes). A shot of late blight in a "compost" bin would also be useful. If you or others you know of have such slides, and are willing to share them, please contact me a.s.a.p. dmk8@cornell.edu