From the moment potatoes are planted to the final stages of the growing season, potato plants are vulnerable to numerous diseases that can weaken stands, reduce tuber development, and eat into profits. The key to protecting your crop? A season-long approach for disease management.
Early protection: Why at-plant disease control matters
The foundation of a healthy potato crop starts at planting. Soilborne diseases and seed-borne pathogens can establish themselves early, leading to weak plants, poor stand establishment, and yield loss before the season even gets underway.
Common at-plant disease threats:
- Black Dot (Colletotrichum coccodes) – Forms minute black sclerotia that infects roots, stolons, stems, and tubers causing plants to wilt and develop unmarketable tubers.
- Rhizoctonia (Black Scurf & Stem Canker) – Causes stem and root rot, reducing plant vigor.
- Fusarium Dry Rot – Leads to seed decay, weak emergence, and lower plant populations.
- Pythium (Water Rot) – Affects young roots and stolons, stunting early plant growth.
- Early Blight (Alternaria solani) – Can begin as a tuber or seedborne infection, setting the stage for foliar spread.
At-plant solutions for stronger potato crops
Applying a seed treatment or in-furrow fungicide, like AZteroid® FC 3.3 or AZterknot®, helps ensure that potatoes get off to a strong start by:
✔ Protecting emerging roots and stems from early-season pathogens.
✔ Improving stand establishment by reducing seed decay and weak emergence.
✔ Setting up for better disease resistance later in the season.
While at-plant treatments are critical, they are only the first line of defense—and disease pressure doesn’t stop once plants are established.
Early season protection: The role of foliar fungicides
After emergence, potatoes face increasing threats from foliar diseases that attack leaves, stems, and ultimately tubers. These diseases not only reduce plant health and yield but can also compromise storage quality and marketability.
Key foliar diseases in potatoes:
- Black Dot (Colletotrichum coccodes) - As infection progresses, symptoms appear on above ground plant parts, including stem lesions and premature yellowing, ultimately causing wilting and early plant decline.
- Early Blight (Alternaria solani) – Causes brown, target-shaped lesions that reduce photosynthesis and weaken plants.
- Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans) – A fast-moving, devastating disease that can destroy entire fields in days.
- Brown Spot (Alternaria alternata) – A secondary foliar disease that weakens plant health.
- Botrytis Leaf Blight (Botrytis cinerea) – Contributes to plant decline, especially under humid conditions.
- White mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) – Infected stems develop water-soaked lesions that turn white and become covered with cottony mycelium, eventually producing black sclerotia inside and outside the plant tissue. This disrupts the vascular system, limiting nutrient and water uptake, ultimately reducing tuber size and quality.
Why foliar disease control is essential
✔ Protects leaf health for maximum tuber production.
✔ Prevents rapid disease spread, reducing overall risk.
✔ Reduces stress on plants, leading to better yields and quality.
✔ Minimizes tuber infections for improved storage and marketability.
The complete solution: AZterknot® Fungicide for early-season disease protection
For growers to maintain their maximum potato yield potential at harvest, a strategic early-season fungicide program is critical. That’s where AZterknot® comes in.
✔ AZterknot® Fungicide – This dual mode of action, flexible fungicide, containing both azoxystrobin and Reynoutria sachalinensis extract (a biological fungicide that triggers the plant’s own defense mechanisms), can be used at-plant or in an early-season foliar application to control black dot, rhizoctonia, early blight, late blight, and other yield robbing diseases. AZterknot improves plant resilience, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance to maximize yield potential. PLUS, AZterknot is seamlessly compatible with liquid fertilizers, micronutrients, and other crop inputs for a more efficient, hassle-free application.
Take a full-season approach to disease management
Combining at-plant protection with a strong foliar fungicide program ensures that potatoes are protected at every stage, from emergence to tuber bulking.
✔ Start strong with an at-plant fungicide to protect against soilborne diseases.
✔ Scout early and often to detect foliar disease before it spreads.
✔ Apply foliar fungicides proactively to maintain strong plant health and maximize yield.
✔ Use multiple modes of action to prevent resistance and extend the life of disease control programs.
By investing in early season disease management, growers can maximize both yield potential and profitability while ensuring high-quality potatoes that store well and reach the marketplace.
Talk to your Vive Territory Sales Manager today to learn how AZterknot can fit into your early-season potato disease management program!
