Potato Monitoring

We conduct IPM monitoring for conventional organic, and seed potato crops. We monitor weekly starting from plant emergence until tops have died down or crops have been harvested. If a disease cannot be identified visually, we can send a plant sample to the BCAGRI lab for a separate fee.

 

We make recommendations for control only when deemed necessary to avoid economic loss. We provide our growers with a weekly detailed report after each visit.

Potatoes

What we look for

  • Blackleg

  • Early Blight

  • Late Blight

  • Pink Rot

  • Rhizoctonia

  • Beneficial insects

  • Aphids

  • Cutworms

  • Loopers

  • Lygus

  • Mites

  • Thrips

  • Tuber Flea Beetles

potatoes-leaves.jpg

Other Services

 
 

Organic Potatoes

We provide the same IPM service as for conventional crops, but the recommendations are made within the guidelines of the Canadian Organic Regime. We discuss possible cultural solutions with the client early in the growing season.

Seed Potatoes

In addition to regular monitoring services, we conduct extra monitoring in the fields by a supervisor trained in the CFIA’s seed inspectors training course. They look for viruses, diseases, and the occurrence of foreign varieties.

Conventional Early Potatoes

Early potatoes are harvested or completely top killed before the first generation of flea beetles become damaging and aphid sampling becomes labour intensive. Therefore, special sampling for the first generation of flea beetles is unnecessary. Otherwise, we conduct inspections for important insects and diseases on the usually weekly basis.

Conventional Mid-Late Season Potatoes

At plant emergence, we conduct special sampling (close up inspection of each leaf and stem) to determine presence of first generation tuber flea beetles. This is important, as control of the first generation can prevent or minimise damage by the second and third generations. Once plants are larger, we sample pests and beneficial insects using sweep nets. We quantify the levels of aphids, spider mites, and thrips by visually assessing the lower leaf triplets.


We make recommendations for insecticide application when pest levels are too high to be controlled by beneficial insects, creating a risk of economic loss. We conduct intense visual inspection for late blight throughout the entire growing season. We make recommendations for fungicide spray schedules based on weather and disease pressure.

 
 
 

It’s important to note that IPM service involves the systematic sampling of the crop to assess overall trends in pest populations and does not involve the inspection of every row in the field.

 
 

Let’s grow together.

Reach out to us to learn more about how we can improve your crops.