Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1913-08-23
POTATO SITUATION IN DETAIL
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POTATO SITUATION IN DETAIL
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sacks of potatoes could be fumigated
at once. Many growers soaked their
se:d potatoes In formaldehyde solu-
ton.
Unfortunately for themselves, how
ever, many growers neglected both
the culling out of diseased seed stock
and the treatment of the seed before
planting, still others treated their
seed with formaldehyde, but neglect
ed to Gull out potatoes affected with
dry rot The formaldehyde treat
Is not efficacious In the case of pota-
toes affected with dry rot.
From various points, reports reached
the writer in mid-June that many
stands of potatoes were very poor
a number of growers actually plowed
up their fields and planting other
crops. Trips were made to ascertain
the real conditions. Although 1t was
found that some reports had been
exaggerated, there remained truth
enough to cause concern. 1t was OBJ
served that the termination Of the
majority of the fields was irregular.
Some sprouts were vigorous and
healthy, many were puny and just
appeared above the ground, while
many cuttings had altogether failed
to sprout. Some Of the later sprouted
after the June showers.
Upon digging up many Of the weak
sprouts and cuttings which had not
terminated, 1t was In numerous cases
discovered that the cuttings had been
infected with powdery dry rot, which
had greatly weakened or destroyed
the sprouts or had entirely rotted
the cuttings.
Much of this irregularity In the
termination was also due to the fact
that planting had been done In
ground entirely too dry. Many of th,
cuttings planted In such soil failed
to terminate until the rains Of June
had furnished the necessary moist
ure. For speedy and vigorous ger
mination potatoes require to be In
contact with moisture.
Potato growers in some districts
have already been taught by expert
ence to irrigate their fields before or
Immediately after planting their po-
tatoes. In many localities In the in
termountain states the winter and
spring precipitation may be too
small for the soil to retain sufficient
moisture at planting time. 1t would
be wise rule to practice irrigation
before planting potatoes in such dis
tricts. Thus a rapid vigorous ger
mination would ordinarily be assured.
Early In July the writer was ro-
quested TO visit a large potato district
because It was reported that many
potato vines showed symptoms Of dis
ease. A tour over this dis.'ct, as
we'll as visits to other districts re-
vealed the fact that many vines ap-
peared weakly; some had yel.owisn,
upwardcurled leaves; others posses
sed foliage punched up In rosettes;
the tips of still others were whiting.
On digging up such plants practically
all of them were found either TO
arise from rotten cuttins, or the
stems below the ground had been
partly or wholly girded by brown
or blackish rot, or both conditions
existed together. In some instances
this rot had eaten through the stsm,
either killing the plant, or great
ly checking Its growth. frequently
plants were able to develope new
root system above the part attached.
Some vigorous plants were able to
overcome the attack and will prob
ably produce an almost normal yield;
the yield of others will be greatly
diminished or altogether lost. For
the most part this stem rot was
caused by the fungus which produces
the tiny brownish-black pimples or
scabs on the tubers, mistaken by
many farmers for particles Of soil
clinging to the potatoes.
This fungus is named Rizoctonia.
The showery weather Of June seems
to have been particularly favorable
for the development of this fungus,
which caused really serious loss.
Unfortunately this disease Ii very
wide spread. 1t Is found in every po-
tato district of the United States, but
the climate and soil Of the inter
mountain states appear to favor Its
development exceptionally. There Is
evidence to show that the treatment
recommended for common scab will
check considerably the development
Of Rhizoctonia. Therefore this treat
ment, either by soaking or fumigat-
ton, should become as we'll estab-
lished as similar one for the preven-
ton of smut among cereals.