ROPAR, Dec 30: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Ropar of Punjab Agricultural University has issued an alert to potato farmers across Punjab, warning of a heightened risk of late blight disease due to prevailing weather conditions.
According to the advisory, a recent dip in temperatures combined with high humidity has created favourable conditions for the outbreak of the disease in major potato-growing districts, including Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar, Ropar and Kapurthala.
Experts said temperatures ranging between 12 and 24 degrees Celsius, relative humidity of around 85% and intermittent night-time drizzle could trigger rapid spread of late blight, a fungal disease known to cause severe crop damage.
“This disease is one of the most destructive infections affecting potato crops and can result in complete crop failure if not managed in time,” said Dr. Satbir Singh, Associate Director (Training) at KVK Ropar.
Dr. Singh advised farmers to regularly monitor their fields and act at the first sign of infection. “Timely detection and treatment are crucial under the current climatic conditions,” he said.
Dr. Urvi Sharma, Assistant Professor (Plant Protection), said early symptoms usually appear on lower leaves. “Water-soaked spots develop on leaf margins and later turn dark brown or black. In humid conditions, white fungal growth may appear on the underside of leaves,” she said.
KVK Ropar has recommended preventive spraying of contact fungicides at specified doses and warned farmers against mixing chemicals in tanks, citing the risk of fungicide resistance.
