New Tecumseth potato farmers have discovered “late blight” in their fields.
According to Spud Smart Magazine, the water mold outbreaks have been reported in Alliston, New Lowell and Utopia.
It is suspected the strain of Late Blight is US 23, a very aggressive strain reportedly found in Elgin and Essex Counties on tomatoes.
Fungicides are necessary to rid the plant of the spores.
Late Blight can cause substantial financial loss to farmers with infected crops.
The very same mold was a major culprit in potato famines across Europe during the 1840’s.
