Potato scab

[coreopsis]

Have a look at scab resistant varieties?I'm not sure about my soil pH but brassicas did well last year(not to mention caterpillars),and potatoes-Desiree-great spuds,no scab at all,Pink Fir Apple-all scabby
Desiree is supposed to be scab resistant-worked for me.

[womble]

An update on my scab trial.

Unfortunately many of my spuds failed this year due to the drought. However, I can confirm that growing in containers of leafmold really does prevent scab.

left: spuds grown in my normal (slightly alkaline) soil
right: spuds grown in leafmold

I had lots of leafmould this year, so I earthed up with it, then for some reason I was liming some soil and I got it wrong in my head, ie that lime helps potato scab, so my potatoes got a decent dusting, it was only when I'd finished that my neighbour helpfully pointed out that it was the other way round, Doh!
So I brushed off what I could.

The result was pretty decent spuds with only a few with scab, so leaf mould must work really well, that's all I can say.

[chris]

TS - the buckets you sank in the ground, were they bottomless - so the roots could burrow deeper for water? Thanks

[Two_Sheds]

Have a look at scab resistant varieties?

No such think in my soil, I'm afraid

TS - the buckets you sank in the ground, were they bottomless -

No, but they could be

[vegnut]

I suffered badly last year with scab in my alcaline soil, so this year i grew accent and accord, both firsts and did very well with only a little scab, and not really enough to worry about. Certainly not gonna peel them. So in my opinion, don't fight the soil, grow spuds that work for your plot, or as best as you can.

[Two_Sheds]

I grew ...King Edward, Druid (both supposedly scab resistant)

in my opinion, don't fight the soil, grow spuds that work for your plot

I would agree, but there's no spud that is totally resistant to scab. I have tried the ones that "show some resistance" and the results were dismal. So, I shall continue growing them in leafmould, I just need a 2nd plot to store it all

" ‘Accent’, ‘Arran Pilot’, ‘Juliette’, ‘Golden Wonder’, ‘King Edward’, ‘Pentland Crown’ and ‘Pentland Javelin’ show some resistance to common scab" Royal Horticultural Society | Advice Search | Potato scabs

[vegnut]

So, I shall continue growing them in leafmould, I just need a 2nd plot to store it all
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I shall try the leaf mould idea next year, it does sound promising. But your right Two Sheds, where to store it. Sounds like i need a reasonable amount.

[cazsudz]

Have a look at scab resistant varieties?I'm not sure about my soil pH but brassicas did well last year(not to mention caterpillars),and potatoes-Desiree-great spuds,no scab at all,Pink Fir Apple-all scabby
Desiree is supposed to be scab resistant-worked for me.

Desiree - I read somewhere that desiree was especially susceptibel to scab - who is right? I have grown desiree for the first time this year and they are very scabby - mind you it has been very dry and I haven't done much watering.

caz

[nosferato]

hey guys,
re the scab, is it true if you have had scab this year, the site can not have potato's on again for 4 years?
thank you in advance
Marc.

[Two_Sheds]

if you have had scab this year, the site can not have potato's on again for 4 years?

It's down to your soil (too alkaline). It will make no difference if you grow spuds every year or not: your soil will still be alkaline

[davetheforker]

i grew desiree last year and i got scabwell not me but the taters

oooh by the way ive been looking up about avoiding scab and one place said dig your trench and line with straw and soil then put your seeds on that with your potato fertiliser.

the other one said line your trench with sphagnum peat which is from peat bogs so is acidic?

[snohare]

Thanks for the leafmould idea, TS. I have lots of leafmould and grass clippings, little soil and much scab...my Red Duke of York were covered.
On the subject of avoiding scab, my understanding is that the blisters are colonies of bacteria, and that the acidity simply affects how favourable the conditions will be for large numbers to appear on the tattie skins- the bacteria will always be lurking in the soil to some level.
Is this correct ? (I'll bet Tattieman will know...)

[Two_Sheds]

I think you're right there Snohare. There are a number of conditions that conspire to produce scab.

[Aberdeenplotter]

hey guys,
re the scab, is it true if you have had scab this year, the site can not have potato's on again for 4 years?
thank you in advance
Marc.

As with every crop, it's best to have a good scheme of rotation to avoid the build up of pests and diseases in any given part of the vegetable garden

[Two_Sheds]

I shall try the leaf mould idea next year, it does sound promising.

It does work - these were dug up yesterday

1) Tesco Charlottes grown in a Morrisons bucket, in leafmold & MPC
2) seed Charlottes grown in a trench in the ground, filled with lots of leafmold & grass clippings
3) Kestrel, again in the leafmold trench

The bucket Charlottes had no contact with soil at all and are completely scab-free (but only 4 spuds: the yield in buckets is low)

The larger spuds had some contact with the soil and have slight patches of scab on them, but not nearly as bad as I normally get. It's hard work collecting all that leafmold (30 sacks this year) and it really would be easier just to buy my spuds from the supermarket