The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1917-04-20
COMMON POTATO DISEASES
Information on Ire eatment, BY
County Agent.


County Agent.
The common scab Is the most well
known potato disease found to exist
in this state. This disease is identi-
fled by circular shallow pitted spot
~ the surface of the tuber. The
scab spots at any time may be con-
fused with some abrasion on the skin
caused by insects which eat potatoes.
Scab spoJs may also entirely cover the
surface Of The potato or may be
widely scattered, depending upon the
amount of germs on the potato, or in
the soil, The combating of this
disease is directed along two lines
soil treatment and seei treatment.
1t has been discovered that alkaline
or neutral soils are conclusive to the
growth Of scab organization, while
acid soils check their growth. For
this reason the application of stable
manure, lime, wood ashes, ETC., be-
fore planting should be avoided. The
I plowing under of green crops tend to
produce more acid condition.
Consequently it would be less favor
able TO a growth Of scab. The soil
treatment can not be depended upon
to control this disease. 1t is merely
a means Of checking it, When the
soil once becomes Infected with
potato scab germs, rotation of crops
not affected by scabS for period OF
four or five years Is recommended.
La such rotation avoid root crops.
as they are susceptible tp scabs. The
seed treatment is the only sure method
to kill the germs on the potato.
However, the germs in he soil can
only le combated by the above men-
toned crop rotation The scab
organism may be killed by formalin
or corrosive sublmate dip. The cor
rusive sublimate dip has distinct
advantage over the formalin, because
it will kill rhizoctonia as well as all
kinds of scab. This treatment should
be made as follows:
Soak all seed potatoes before cut
ting in solution Of ok. of corrosive
sublimate in 80 gallons of water for
u hours. This should be put in a
wooden or stone ware cDntainer. not
metal. This dip is deadly poison
and care must be exercised that
treated potatoes are not eaten by
stock or humans. The solution will
not hurt the hands Store treated
potatoes ia new sacks TO avoid in
fection from diseased potatoes that
might have been 10 them before
Fuslrium wilt.-ThIs is very
serious disease because Of the nature
of its attack. This disease does not
show on the outside OF the potato.
When a potato affected with this
disease is planted, the fungus grows
up the water tubes 10 tH e stems which
carry water to the leaves, with the
result that the flow OF water from the
roots to the leaves is stopped, this
causing the leaves and stem Of the
potato to wilt, giving IL the name
that it bears. This disease may be
detected 10 potatoes by characters
tic brown streak at the stem end
which can be seen only by cutting the
potato open. To get rid Of this
disease. all seed potatofs should bt
examined by cutting tn n slices frnL
the stem in order to de;ect thust
affected BY taking th US precautiur
no diseased potatoes will be planted
The demand for good clean seeo
potatoes is so great that it offers eooc
opportunities for the marketing o.
high grade potatoes at IA very hlgf
price. Every grower is urged to TAX,
steps to protect himself and hi
oeighbors. A slight ex pense in treat
ment of seed will result in decided
increase In yie,d and Improvement o
quality.
II Fl. BEL Err,
County Agricultural Agent