Late blight, caused by fungus Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most important diseases of potato seriously affecting its cultivation in the state of Punjab. It can result into crop failure in a short period, if suitable control measures are not adopted in a timely manner. Losses in potato yield can go as high as 80 per cent in epidemic years. The surveys conducted by the Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have helped to clearly locate the disease prone and comparatively disease free areas for late blight in the state. The past surveys have revealed that this disease causes more losses in the districts of Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala. Hoshiarpur is generally considered to be the hot spot for this disease.The disease is generally observed first in certain pockets of district Hoshiarpur like Sham Chaurasi, Mehtiana, Phuglanaand areas around Tanda, which then spreads further to adjoining regions under favourable weather conditions. In the districts like Ludhiana, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Moga and Sangrur, the disease is generally noticed in moderate incidence. The south-western districts such as Bathinda, Faridkot and Ferozepur remain relatively free from this disease.
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