Punjab Potato Growers Advised Caution as KVK Ropar Flags Rising Late Blight Threat

Due to current weather conditions, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ropar of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has warned potato farmers across the state about an increased risk of a late blight outbreak. The advisory highlighted that recent drops in temperature coupled with increased humidity and night-time drizzle across key potato belts had created favourable conditions for the disease to spread rapidly in districts including Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar, Ropar and Kapurthala.

According to Dr Satbir Singh, Associate Director (Training) at KVK Ropar, late blight, which is caused by a fungal pathogen, is one of the most destructive diseases affecting potato crops and can lead to complete crop failure if not checked promptly. He urged the farmers to conduct regular field surveys and take immediate action at the first signs of infection, stressing that early detection could prevent severe loss.

Dr Urvi Sharma, Assistant Professor (Plant Protection), explained that early symptoms usually appear as water-soaked spots on lower leaves, which expand into dark brown or black lesions. On humid mornings, white fungal growth may appear under leaves. She warned that ignoring symptoms could allow the disease to destroy entire fields within days.

KVK Ropar’s advisory urged preventive fungicide sprays, including Indofil M-45, Entracol and Kavach every seven days, and systemic fungicides such as Ridomil Gold and Karzet M-8 at 10-day intervals where risk is high. Farmers were also advised to avoid homemade mixtures that could trigger fungicide resistance.

Source: The Tribune