B-997

Potato Early Blight

By Gary Franc, Research and Extension Plant Pathologist,

University of Wyoming, Department of Plant Sciences

William Brown, Extension Plant Pathologist

Colorado State University, and

Eric Kerr, Extension Plant Pathologist

University of Nebraska

Early blight is a common disease of potatoes caused by the fungus Alternaria salani, and it occurs worldwide wherever potatoes are grown. The fungus is spread by wind-blown spores.

This publication describes the symptoms, disease cycle, and management of the syndrome. It includes photos of early blight and tuber dry rot along with a chart showing the different stages.