Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-23

healthy, but many Of them looked ~.
NAL except that they were under H.
On digging down and observing con-
tions below ground 1t was found ~.
these weakened or small plants We.
in a large number Of cases attacked !.
the Rhizoctonia fungus. The portio
Of the stems in the soil showed hron
LESSONS Of various sizes. and althous,
the plants would eventually die. Il.
disease had not progressed far enouoI
to kill them. Often later in the seaso,
the plants which survived would ovs,
grow the vacant places, and entirsl,
mask the injury which occurred es,
lier
The Rhizoctonia disease differs m,
blackleg in that the LESSONS in the la,
ter disease instead Of beng brown an,
inky black in color, and always star
at the junction of the seed tuber will
the base of the stem and work M
ward
Potato plants which are so severn
attacked as to cut off the stems h.|
low the ground are not always kiRSI
and frequently throw up side branc,s
from the growth below which produ,s|
very respectable looking tops but II
very disappointing crop Of potatos
The fungus also attacks the tube,
bearing stolons and the roots beby|
ground. When the stolons are ATTACKED
the young tubers are cut of from usl
parent stalks soon after they srI
formed, or before they have ATTAINED
much size, thus stimulating the potsj
to to produce large numbers of small
potatoes resulting in what is known al
been observed where thirty or fora
such small potatoes were produced n
a single hill, none Of them being al
merchantable size.
In cases where the roots are at,
tackled this is usually not suffcientM
severe to kill the plants. In TACT, thI
latter may appear strong and yigorouj
above ground, and have every appear
ance and promise Of producing album
dant harvest. When dry weatheI
comes on in midsummer, particularJ
in the central and southern parts d
the State, these plants suddenly bill
gin TO die, and although prematra|
have the appearance of normal ripefl
ing, but the crop produced is small anil
disappointing.
Since the fungus is so comma
and widespread in potato soils, thes|
appears to be as yet very little thai
can be done in the line of prevendvs|
measures. Where the disease occur
the field should be given over to otha
crops as long as possible. If they al
be obtained it is wise to use seed h1
bers which do not show the little bld0
bodies or over wintering stage OF IN
fungus on their surfaces. COrrMa
sublimate has been found to be y
most effective seed disinfectant
this disease. In the experience IN,
Station, however. this does not e,5as1
~ kill the fungus upon the surface q
the potato tubers. !
There seems to be considerable dit
ference i'll resistance in different va
rieties Of potato to the Rhizoctol,
disease. 4 field of Irish Cobblers u
Hishmoor Farm in 1918 showed 81 pei
cent of the potatoes attacked by th4
fungus. Although the plants LOOKED
exceedingly promising during the earl
summer they died early and the yea
was very disappointing. While son3
of the plants on the adjoining field
Green Mountains were attacked by th4
disease the injury appeared to be y
no means as severe, and a very sats1
factory crop was harvested.
CEAS. D. WOODS,
DIRECTED