potato leaves turning yellow - Ask Extension
What is causing the leaves on my potatoes to turn yellow the stems to wilt but the potatoes were healthy? June has been particularly damp this year in...
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potato leaves turning yellow #335618
Asked June 23, 2016, 12:06 PM EDT
What is causing the leaves on my potatoes to turn yellow the stems to wilt but the potatoes were healthy? June has been particularly damp this year in Lincolnshire with 8 inches of rain in three days at one point. So far this has only affected 4 plants in different rows. Two in my 1st earlies and two in my main crop
regards Steve Irwin-Banks
County Outside United States
Expert Response
Your potatoes could be suffering from blight. It is often more of a problem when wet. Here is a link that explains the problem and how to deal with it. http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/vegetables/early-blight-of-tomatoes-and-potatoes/
Sherry,
many thanks for your response but reading the symptoms of blight both on your link and in my gardening books it does not appear to be the same the leaves go a light yellow colour completely before discolour unlike the photos of blight in your link.
many thanks for your response but reading the symptoms of blight both on your link and in my gardening books it does not appear to be the same the leaves go a light yellow colour completely before discolour unlike the photos of blight in your link.
Dear Steve,
The discolouration may be caused by a number of things. However, if you have had substantial rains it is very possible that the soil has been water-logged. This prevents air from reaching the roots, the roots start to wither, and the plant may begin to show signs similar to that of too little water.
Check the drainage in your soil. Dig down about 8 inches to see if the soil is saturated. It should hold into loose clumps that up break easily. If you are planting in the ground, you might consider raised beds. Regular applications of compost also helps the tilth and drainage in heavy soils.
The discolouration may be caused by a number of things. However, if you have had substantial rains it is very possible that the soil has been water-logged. This prevents air from reaching the roots, the roots start to wither, and the plant may begin to show signs similar to that of too little water.
Check the drainage in your soil. Dig down about 8 inches to see if the soil is saturated. It should hold into loose clumps that up break easily. If you are planting in the ground, you might consider raised beds. Regular applications of compost also helps the tilth and drainage in heavy soils.
