Trialling Late Blight resistant potatoes

[Jayb]

So far it's not been a bad year for Late Blight in many areas, although I haven't been so lucky here, my potatoes were first infected toward the beginning of July.

The last few years I've grown several 'resistant' varieties but it seems as Late Blight has adapted and formed new strains, varieties that were known as blight resistant are no longer able to match it. Quite a few of the varieties I've trialled haven't been able to brush it aside; amongst those varieties that have fallen are Toluco, Red Cara, Orla and Setana. Kifli is variable in its tolerance see below.

To be fair I'm primarily basing success on foliage resistance, as for me if they can't grow through it, then there is no point having excellent resistance in tubers.

This year for my trial I'm growing three Late Blight (LB) resistant varieties, Sarpo Mira, Carolus and Palest Pink Eye (which is a selection I've made from TPS). Carolus is new to me this year (thanks in part to Galina), the other two I've grown for a few years with good results, although I'm not too fussed on the eating qualities of Sarpo Mira as I prefer waxier types.

I have two rows each of Palest Pink Eye alongside two of Carolus, and then two short rows of Sarpo Mira alongside Blue Belle – which I'm growing as the control.  LB arrived in July and although not the most virulent strain I've seen it's nevertheless deadly to varieties without resistance, Pink Fir Apple was the first to succumb. The three resistant varieties remain healthy while Bluebell has sadly been infected. Palest Pink Eye has had another flush of flowers and is happily blooming away.

A bit further down the plot I've a few (Sarpo) Kifli plants, they produce a nice potato, but sadly don't have the same degree of LB resistance as Sarpo Mira (Although one year they did amazingly well and remained healthy in quite a blighty year). Again with not such an aggressive strain of LB so far this year Kifli are still growing and flowering, which is good because they are somewhat slow to make tubers.

With all the recent wet drizzly weather here it is likely some more aggressive strains will arrive soon enough to give the remaining varieties a further workout!

[Jayb]

[Digeroo]

I am trialling sarpo mira.  The plants are big.  I mulched them with straw which seems to be an open invitation for the deer to set up camp in the middle.    At least they do not seem to eat potatoes, but my carrots are looking sad.

No blight at all so far this year so not much of a trial.   I put them in the worst place which is down wind from the rest of the site, so tends to go very quickly, but there is so far not a sign of blight.   . 

[Jayb]

Glad you haven't got blight in your area yet, not many reports of it about so far this year.

[BarriedaleNick]

A vote for sarpo mira from me, at least in terms of standing up to blight.  Cant say they are the best spud in the world but they are productive.  Mine stood all last year when the desiree and other fell by the wayside.

[Jayb]

They do seem to be quite a remarkable potato