Agriculture: Potato Pest Management Guidelines

Row Closure to Maturity

This year-round IPM program covers the major pests of both commercial and seed potato production fields in California.

About Row Closure to Maturity

What should you be doing during this time?

Monitor aphids weekly (Klamath Basin only). Keep records (example monitoring form PDF) and manage if needed according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

Watch for pests of foliage, including:

Insects:

Diseases:

Note presence of pests or damage (example monitoring form PDF) and manage according the Pest Management Guidelines.

Monitor for tuberworm adults. (Central and Southern California)

Apply insecticides if needed according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

Based on field history, manage diseases according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

If white mold has been a problem in previous potato crops, apply fungicide at full flowering according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

Manage soil moisture to avoid soil cracking, but avoid over-irrigation to prevent diseases.

Consider application of nematicide via chemigation according to nematode lifecycle and label recommendations.

Apply fertilizer as needed according to soil and petiole tests. Avoid over- or under-fertilization (especially nitrogen).

Survey for weed escapes or late-emerging weeds. Apply postemergence herbicide if necessary.

Text Updated: 08/19
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