Diseased Seed Potatoes?

**Iamhanuman** · 18-05-2009, 10:14 PM

really sorry for you emily
that is awful
perhaps there is something you can still do

**SarzWix** · 18-05-2009, 10:14 PM

Have you all manured your plot with manure from the same source? If you have, it may be aminopyralad contaminated manure rather than a problem with the potatoes.

**emilymup** · 18-05-2009, 10:23 PM

Thats what I was thinking too Sarzwix - but the manure was from a reputable source - or so I hope and all of the people at the allotment had some. The odd thing is that only 3 of my 4 raised beds seem to be affected and the problem doesn't seem to be consistent with all of the plants.

**SarzWix** · 18-05-2009, 10:38 PM

Levington's bagged manure was found to be contaminated last year

so 'reputable' doesn't mean anything unless you have traced the manure right back through to the fields that grew hay for fodder and straw for bedding. I think it has to be a strong possibility. I used some on my raspberry bed last year and it killed 5 out of 7 of my new canes, but 2 were ok. No idea why though!

**emilymup** · 18-05-2009, 10:44 PM

I will keep you updated when the test results come back!

**tattieman** · 19-05-2009, 09:09 AM

Do you have any pics? It could be a few different things to be honest.
1) it could be the seed but that would be highly unlikely that 3 different types of seed would have a virus unless theyre has been virus problems on the plot before and contaminated the seed.
2) the manure could be contaminated?
3) You might have potato cyst nematode which would stunt the plants and is a serious problem.
4) Have you had morning frost that could have nipped the leaves in low lying areas and not touched other areas?

As it seems to be happening to everyone it must be something you all have in common I would say.
What variety of spuds are on the plot?

**Flummery** · 19-05-2009, 09:31 AM

When I read your post I thought of aminpyralid too. It has been observed to persisit from year to year in the compost - many things 'cook' out as the heap heats. Even from a decent farm you can find that they bought in hay for bedding from sprayed fields. It's very hard to trace. If you plant outdoor toms and the same thing happens then the manure is likely to be the culprit. It affects particularly the tomato and potato family.

**emilymup** · 21-05-2009, 10:29 PM

Hello all! The test results came back from Marshalls and has shown that the potatoes are suffering from leaf curl virus originating in India. The potatoes sold by the allotment association were free from virus but someone has planted contaminated potatoes - possibly from India, and this has spread to lots of plots.

DEFRA is now involved and tomorrow I have the pleasure of digging up all my tatties, Rocket, Picasso, Pentland Javelin, Pentland Crown and Desiree, piling them into black sacks ready to be burned along with all the others on the site.

By disposing of them asap the virus should be restricted hopefully and will not contaminate the soil. We have been told that it is safe to plant things other than tomatoes and potatoes, so cabbages here we come.

I am bitterly disappointed but very happy that it has been handled so efficiently and quickly by all concerned!!!

Tattieman, can you shed a little more light on this awful virus please. I always greatly appreciate the advice you give to everyone

**Snadger** · 21-05-2009, 10:44 PM

Just googled this:-

Potato leaf curl - a new disease of potato in northern India caused by a strain of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus

**emilymup** · 21-05-2009, 10:50 PM

Thanks Snadger, tried looking for it on the net but couldn't find it!! Only thing is, my spuds look far worse than those in the picture, and the chap opposite has barely any leaves on his plants atall!

**tattieman** · 21-05-2009, 11:14 PM

What a disaster for you all. I remember allaboutliverpool writing on here about how it was fine to use shop bought potatoes and I bit my tongue and never said anything but this is what happens. Because one person has tried to save a few pound everyone on your plot is now suffering. This is why Scottish seed is so well trusted as we have strict control of all diseases and only certify seed that meets the criteria. This disease could have came from anywhere to be honest. Alot of southern based seed companies import foreign seed and sell it with no regard for the health status. I know I am biased but i can honestly say that Scottish seed is the best in the world.
Now leaf roll virus is passed from plant to plant by aphids. Once an aphid is infected with the virus it will carry it for the duration of its life. The aphids become active from late spring onwards. Plants infected with the disease will suffer from a 50% reduction in size and crop. You can use sprays to kill the little blighters but there are no guarantees that your crops will still not be infected again.
I hope that helps you and hopefully you will be able to grow spuds again.You might have to use aphid proof nets.
The aphids can travel long distances so it might not have been someone on the plot that has grown the infected seed.

**emilymup** · 21-05-2009, 11:19 PM

Thanks tattieman, I really appreciate your advice.

One of the chaps had his potatoes covered with enviromesh from when he first planted them and my rocket potatoes, which are the worst affected were covered with fleece as I was worried about the frost. We were told that the aphids are very tiny and can pass through the enviromesh. The potatoes that this chap dug up were really smelly and nasty, so best all round to dig them up and start again!

**tattieman** · 21-05-2009, 11:22 PM

Well you can always try planting spuds in August and harvest for christmas. The aphids are most active in the south and east of England.

**tattieman** · 21-05-2009, 11:33 PM

Out of interest has anyone on the plot grown Juliette,Anya or Accent? Has anyone kept their own seed from last year and planted it this year? It is normally the second year of the disease that is really bad with infected seed.

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