Evening journal., 1919-07-25
MAKE INSPECTION
FOR POTATO WART
Plant Patbologists at Della
ware College on Look
cut Tor Disease
DID GREAT DAMAGE
IN PENNSYLVANIA
necial 40 The Evening journal.

,necisl 40 The Evening journal.
NEWARK, July 25.-At the reques
4 the United states Department oI
Agriculture, plans are being made o.
he Plant Pathology Department o.
eelaNare College FOR an inspection ol
he white potato crop in Delaware FOR
he potato wart and a campaign TO koeI
his disease out OF the state II posi-
de. Professor LeCsto, assistant TO Dr
Thomas r. Manns, is In charge OF tns
kork.
Mart is considered the most serious
II potato diseases. II was first dis
sove.ed in this country IN iennsyl-
Nnia in September OF last year, ana
10 Department OF Agriculture has
ssrted nationwide campaign TO keep
! from spreading and il possible to en-
brelv eradicate IT, Il is believed TO
have come to this country on potatoes
Imported from Europe, where IL has
rione great damage in recent years,
Especially in England and Ireland AS
Nr as is known the disease has not
aade IFS appearance in this state ana
is largely TO be in a position to make
4 successful fight against Il should II
be found the inspection is TO be made
this year.
The parasite which causes the dis
psse lives in the soil for many years
Me severity OF the disease apparently
depending on the degree OF infestation
nf the soil. Hence. in fields where
potatoes follow potatoes IN successive
Sears or at frequent intervals the dis
ease becomes steadily worse until II is
impossible TO raise sound tubers. In
<ome gardens in Pennsylvania In the
fsll OF 1918 the disease was so severe
that the crop was practically a total
loss
Signs OF the Disease.
The first evidences OF wart are small
spongy outgrowths on the potato
especially at the eyes. These increase
IN size and may grow as large as the
potato itself Not infrequently a num-
Der OF warts may arise at different
places on the same tuber; causing the
whole potato to-become spongy
wsrty mass. In the early stages the
warts are light brown, the color be-
coming darker and finally black with
age. Badly diseased potatoes decay In
the field and those less seriously at
tscked are extremely susceptible TO rot
IN storage. Wart does not kill the
potato plant and seldom interferes seri-
ously with the growth OF the potato
vines: therefore the detection OF the
disease is difficult or impossible before
digging time. This disease also attacks
the common nightshade and the bitter
sweet
What Causes Wart?
wart is caused by a parasitic fungus
which peneitates, the outer layers OF
The potato and stimulates them to alb
normal development, thus causing the
Characteristics warty outgrowths. Mil
ions Of reproductive bodies. called
sporanga, are formed in the wart tis-
sue and are released into the soil when
The wart decays. Some germinate as |
soon as mature, releasing litters Of |
spores which may reinfect the pota- |
toes and cause new warts. Others are |
resting sporangia, which may lie dor /
mant In the soil for many years until |
by cultivation or other means they are |
brought into suitable conditions for |
termination.
How the Fungus May BE Spread.
The wart parasite may be carried !
into clean soil ~ by drainage water
from infested fields ~ by the distribu-
ticn Of infested soil las on agricultural
implements or on the feet Of men or
,3l by the use OF manure
from animals to which diseased tubers
nave been fed, li by garbage into
which peelings from diseased tubers
have been thrown, and especially tb)
by the planting Of diseased iubers or OF
tubers which have been grown in in
Tested soil and carry the Infection on
their surfaces.
Is Nart Present Elsewhere In the
United states?
The wide distribution Of the potatoes
imported from abroad in 1912 and IN
EARLIER years makes 10 possible that
Vart may have established itself in
more than one locality in the United
States Hence, potato growers. potato
dealers, and potato users should be on
the lookout for u in all parts OF the
country. Wart is easier 10 prevent than
TO control It Is highly important that
all localities where IL occurs be dis
covered as soon as possible. in order
that proper measures may he taken 10
prevent its further spread and TO erad-
cate II where present.