HAVE YOU SEEN POTATO
WART?
The threat: Potato wart is a fungal disease which, if it was to spread to commercial properties, would have a
serious impact on the New Zealand potato industry.
What is potato wart?
Photo courtesy of Mark Braithwaite, MAFBNZ
Potato wart is a difficult to treat fungal disease. It has been found in
home gardens in and near Invercargill, most recently in 2011. MAF
eradicates all known outbreaks of potato wart. Potato wart is a notifiable
organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993, and is an eradication pest
under the Environment Southland Regional Pest Management Strategy.
Potato wart does not pose a threat to human health but diseased tubers
are unfit for human consumption.
What does potato wart look like?
The disease appears on all the underground parts of the potato except
the roots. Buds on stems, stolons and tubers are the main centres of
infection. Symptoms include:
• warty or cauliflower-like black or white growths developing from the
eyes;
• severely infected tubers are distorted and spongy.
How does potato wart spread?
This fungus can be easily spread to new areas on diseased potato tubers
or in soil from contaminated gardens. Infected soil can be spread on
plants, bulbs, and implements used in potato cultivation. The fungus
can remain viable in the soil for many years if not treated. Potatoes are
the only cultivated host.
Potato wart (Synchytrium endobioticum)
How can you help?
Photo courtesy of Peter Wilkins, AsureQuality
Take steps to prevent the spread of potato wart:
• only plant commercially produced certified seed potatoes. These
are free of potato wart;
• wash garden tools, machinery and footwear before leaving the
property;
• don’t plant or share saved seed potatoes;
• don’t share other garden plants, but if you do use cuttings, wash
off all of the soil;
• contact Environment Southland if you see any symptoms on your
potatoes.
Severely infected potato tuber
IF YOU SEE THESE SYMPTOMS ON YOUR POTATOES, PLEASE CONTACT
ENVIRONMENT SOUTHLAND 0800 768 845 OR 03 211 5115
NEW ZEALAND. IT’S OUR
PLACE TO PROTECT.
July 2011