Black rot, in higher tropical altitudes, may cause heavy potato yield losses in moist soils rich in organic matter (recently cleared land) and may affect other crop and weed hosts.

Symptoms of Black Rot

Diseased potato plants are stunted and wilt. Underground organs develop a black rot partially covered by matted strands of grayish white mycelium.

The blackened potatoes tubers in cross section show a band of striate projections penetrating into the flesh. Often, only isolated potato plants are affected or the disease occurs in patches in the field. Only during lack of crop rotation while growing potatoes does the disease become a major problem.

Management

Removal or burning of brush and trees when land is cleared and subsequent crop rotation are recommended control measures.

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