Blight Shows Up In Ireland

Irish agricultural research agency Teagasc reported the first outbreaks of potato blight in Ireland this year.

It said its blight recording system showed outbreaks in Kerry and Cork counties, hit on April 28 and May 18.

The Teagasc recording system tracks the initial outbreak in the different growing areas with the aim of helping growers implement effective blight control programs.

Potato blight research specialist Leslie Dowley said the average date of outbreak of blight for the main crop is in the latter half of July. However, for early crops in the south, disease outbreak can be much earlier.