Summary
A survey of control practices and grower perceptions of early blight in South Africa was conducted from May 2001 — July 2002 using an informally structured questionnaire. Questionnaires were collected from the 10 largest of the 14 potato production regions in South Africa. The predominant control method for early blight was the use of fungicides with mancozeb or chlorothalonil as active ingredient. Most respondents commence spraying at flowering and spray at 7–10 day intervals thereafter. BP1, Up-to-date and Mondial were the most commonly planted cultivars. The majority of farmers indicated that they would be willing to use an early blight decision support system if an accurate and cost-effective one was available, and that they believe more research is necessary on early blight in South Africa. Estimated economic losses ranged from 1–60%, with the average being approximately 20%. This is the first such survey to be conducted in South Africa.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ausher, R., I.S. Ben-Ze’ev & R. Black, 1996. The role of plant clinics in plant disease diagnosis and education in developing countries.Annual Review of Phytopathology 34: 51–66.
Christ, B.J. & S.A. Maczuga, 1989. The effect of fungicide schedules and inoculum levels on early blight severity and yield of potato.Plant Disease 73: 695–698.
Clark, B., 2003. The role of decision support systems in extension plant pathology. International Congress of Plant Pathology, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2–7 February 2003.
Denner, F.D.N. & D.J. Theron, 1999. Voorkoms en beheer van swamsiektes by aartappels. In: P.J. Steyn (Ed.), Handleiding vir aartappelverbouing in Suid-Afrika. Agricultural Research Council, Roodeplaat, Pretoria, pp. 117–132.
Douglas, D.R. & M.D. Groskopp, 1974. Control of early blight in eastern and south central Idaho.American Potato Journal 51: 361–368.
Franc, G.D., M.D. Harrison & L.K. Lahman, 1988. A simple day-degree model for initiating chemical control of early blight in Colorado.Plant Disease 72: 851–854.
Harrison, M.D., C.H. Livingston & N. Oshima, 1965a. Control of early blight in Colorado. I. Fungicidal spray schedules in relation to the epidemiology of the disease.American Potato Journal 42: 319–327.
Harrison, M.D., C.H. Livingston & N. Oshima, 1965b. Control of early blight in Colorado. II. Spore traps as a guide for initiating applications of fungicides.American Potato Journal 42: 333–340.
Harrison, M.D. & J.R. Venette, 1970. Control of potato early blight and its effect on potato yield.American Potato Journal 47: 81–86.
Holderness, M., P. Jones, E. Boa, B. Ritchie & J. Vos, 2003. Meeting the diagnostic and advisory needs of developing countries. International Congress of Plant Pathology, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2–7 February 2003.
Jones, L.R., 1893. The new potato disease or early blight.Vermont Agricultural Experimental Station Bulletin 8: 78–89.
Lana, A.F., 1992. Crop protection services in Southern Africa.Crop Protection 11: 491–496.
Mackenzie, D.R., 1981. Scheduling fungicide applications for potato late blight with BLITECAST.Plant Disease 65: 394–399.
Madden, L., S.P. Pennypacker & A.A. Macnab, 1978. FAST, a forecasting system forAlternaria solani on tomato.Phytopathology 68: 1354–1358.
McKenzie, D., 1991. Vroeëroes, ’n onderskatte siekte op aartappels in Suid Afrika. In: Potato Course, Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Research Institute, Agricultural Research Council, Roodeplaat, South Africa, pp. 7–10.
McRoberts, N., G. Hughes & S. Savary, 2003. Integrated approaches to understanding and control of disease and pests in field crops.Australasian Plant Pathology 32: 167–180.
Nevill, W.G., 1985. Epidemiology and chemical control of potato early blight in the Natal Mistbelt. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Potatoes South Africa, 2002. Industry Report. Potato House, Pretoria, South Africa.
Pscheidt, J.W., 1985. Epidemiology and control of potato early blight, caused byAlternaria solani. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Wisconsin — Madison, USA.
Pscheidt, J.W. & W.R. Stevenson, 1988. The critical period for control of early blight (Alternaria solani) of potato.American Potato Journal 65: 425–438.
Rands, R.D., 1917. Early blight of potato and related plants.Wisconsin Agricultural Experimental Station Research Bulletin 42: 1–48.
Republic of South Africa, 1998. Regulation Gazette No. 6180.Government Gazette, 15 May 1998, Vol. 395, No. 18890: 2–27.
Rotem, J., 1994. The genusAlternaria: biology, epidemiology, and pathogenicity. APS Press, St Paul, Minnesota, USA.
Shtienberg, D., M.A. Doster, J.R. Pelletier & W.E. Fry, 1989. Use of simulation models to develop a low-risk strategy to suppress early and late blight in potato foliage.Phytopathology 79: 590–595.
Srivastava, M.P., 2003. Transfer of plant pathology knowledge for rural prosperity: an Asian perspective.Australasian Plant Pathology 32: 187–194.
van der Waals, J.E., F.D.N. Denner, N. van Rij & L. Korsten, 2003. Evaluation of PLANT- Plus, a decision support system for control of early blight on potatoes in South Africa.Crop Protection 22: 821–828.
Visser, A.F., 2002. Die keuse van geskikte cultivars en planttye vir verskillende aartappelproduksiegebiede. Potato Course, Agricultural Research Council, Roodeplaat, Pretoria, 17–18 November 2002.
Zadoks, J.C. & R.D. Schein, 1979. Epidemiology and plant disease management. Oxford University Press, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Van Der Waals, J.E., Korsten, L. & Denner, F.D.N. Early blight in South Africa: Knowledge, attitudes and control practices of potato growers. Potato Res 46, 27–37 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02736100
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02736100