What’s New

July 2009

2009 Outbreak of Late Blight of Tomato and Potato in Connecticut

An unusually early and widespread outbreak of late blight of tomato and potato occurred throughout Connecticut and the northeast this year. Disease was detected in backyard tomatoes and in commercial fields and greenhouses that follow conventional and organic practices.  If left unchecked, late blight disease can completely destroy potato and tomato crops.  This devastating disease is known for its association with the Irish potato famine of the 1840’s, and it rapidly kills plants under favorable environmental conditions such as cool, cloudy, windy, wet weather—conditions that characterized May, June, and July 2009.

A fact sheet and photo gallery are available with more detailed information about symptoms and management. Follow this link to the fact sheet on Late Blight of Tomato and Potato in Connecticut, Follow this link to an image gallery for Late Blight.