Bob Mulrooney, Extension Plant Pathologist; bobmul@udel.edu
Tomato growers and potato growers should be aware that late blight has been diagnosed on home garden tomatoes in Northampton County on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and in NC and SC recently. As far as I know these have not been commercial fields, but growers should be on a preventative spray program of mancozeb (Dithane, Manzate, etc.) or chlorothalonil (Bravo). Should late blight occur locally, switch to a systemic fungicide targeting late blight such as Previcur Flex, Curzate, Ranman, Forum or other labeled fungicides. Be sure to check the label for rates, crop, and companion fungicides for resistance management. This current weather pattern had been ideal for late blight, frequent scouting is strongly advised.