Late blight returns to upstate NY, Tompkins County not hit yet

A press release from Cornell Cooperative Extention:

For Immediate Release: July 29, 2010
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County
(607) 272-2292

Late Blight Found in Upstate NY

        Tompkins County Cornell Cooperative Extension has received a report that Late Blight has been found upstate for the first time this year, in a home garden in Norwich in Eastern NY. Please note that, as of this time, Late Blight has NOT been found in Tompkins County!
         Gardeners here may wish to apply a protective fungicide spray to tomatoes and potatoes, according to Monika Roth, Agriculture Program Leader at CCE-Tompkins.  Protective sprays include copper (organic) or daconil (not organic).  When spraying, it is very important to get good coverage as an infection can begin any place a spore lands that is not protected.

        Home gardeners are advised to check tomato, potato and tomatillo plants weekly for symptoms of Late Blight.  According to Roth, Late Blight generally begins at the top the of the plant, not the bottom.  Leaf samples can be taken to CCE-Tompkins at 615 Willow Avenue in Ithaca for confirmation, but tomato leaves brought in by gardeners thus far have all been affected with Septoria Leaf Spot, not Late Blight, Roth says.

         To learn more about Late Blight:

• Visit Cornell's NY State IPM website for Late Blight history, prevention, symptoms and more
• See pages by Dr. Meg McGrath, Cornell Plant Pathologist, on "Late Blight on Tomato" at:http://www.longislandhort.cornell.edu/vegpath/photos/lateblight_tomato.htm