Blitecast assesses risk for disease, avoids excess pesticide use
As spring approaches, farmers across the state prepare for potato season — the planting process begins after the last hard frost in April and May, according to Gather Wisconsin. A part of this preparation relates to the prevention of disease, specifically for late blight — also referred to as “blight.”
Affecting tomatoes and potatoes, this disease is caused by a fungus-like water mold called Phytophthora infestans, according to Wisconsin Horticulture. If the conditions are right, blight may kill a plant within ten days, effectively threatening the vitality of Wisconsin farms. To contextualize blight’s potential impact, this disease is historically known for its destructive role in the Irish Potato Famine.
For Wisconsin farmers working at an industry scale, blight is dealt with through measures like practicing crop rotation, maintaining soil hygiene and selecting high-quality seed potatoes, according to The James Hutton Institute. Lastly, farmers may prevent blight by spraying their fields with fungicides, but if overdone, this practice has its drawbacks, University of Wisconsin professor of plant pathology Andrew Bent said. To prevent blight and overspraying, professor and Department of Plant Pathology Chair Amanda Gevens uses a tool called Blitecast to communicate to farmers the appropriate time to spray fungicides.
Read the full story here: https://badgerherald.com/news/science-news/2025/03/07/wisconsin-farmers-protect-potatoes-with-weather-forecasting-tool-help-from-uw-researchers/