Black scurf and scab
Common Name
Scientific Name
Rhizoctonia solani, Spongospora subterranea
Issue
Bacteria
Causes
These pathogens live in the soil and survive in infected tubers. In most cases infection occurs whilst the tubers are still in the ground.
Prevention
Practise crop rotation. Use healthy certified seed tubers. Disinfect seed tubers from infected field through heat-treatment (10 min in water at 55 degC). Avoid excessive liming and continuous cropping with potatoes and maintain soil pH at about 4.8 if con