27 May 2024

Potato crop walks get underway as blight cases emerge

With cases of blight beginning to emerge, Teagasc will host a number of potato crop walks this week, with the first scheduled for Co. Meath on Wednesday, May 29.

Along with covering EU 43, a new threat to potatoes in Ireland, the events will also feature new guidelines on controlling blight and developing robust blight control programmes for 2024.

Speaking ahead of the walks, Teagasc Crops and Potato Specialist, Shay Phelan said: “The identification of the EU43 strain of potato blight in Ireland last year is potentially on of the most serious developments in potato growing in recent times.

“This strain is causing many problems in Europe and growers in many countries are struggling to control it. The presence of this strain in the Irish population will result in a significant change in how we approach disease control over the coming years.

“These Teagasc Potato Crop Walks will aim to inform growers and agronomists about the potential of this strain and help to design robust blight control programmes, which will help to reduce the risk of serious outbreaks.”

Three Teagasc Potato Crop Walks are planned for this week. Details of locations and times are available in the below table.

Find out more about Teagasc’s activities in the area of potatoes here.