Improved application technique in potato cultivation

Abstract

In particular in organic cultivation, potato blight caused by the fungus phytophthora infestans can lead to significant yield, quality and storage losses. Protecting potatoes against this disease demands preventive measures, appropriate regulation strategies, and optimum spraying techniques. The latter involves an even distribution and deposition of the preventive copper contact fungicides on the stem and both sides of the leaves as well as a good penetration. Compared to conventional spraying, the newly developed underleaf spraying technique improved the coverage of the potato leaves and decreased phytophtora infection significantly.