Manuring as an Option for Management of Potato Scab (2002) - 3 pages
Traditionally growers have been cautioned to avoid manuring potato fields for fear of worsening
problems with scab. However, Conn and Lazarovits (1998) found that application of fresh poultry or swine manure just prior to planting actually reduced levels of common scab in a severely infested field. Researchers in Japan have isolated micro-organisms from manure that actively combat scab. This trial attempted to evaluate the potential to control scab utilizing readily available manure sources.
The trial was conducted on the Department of Plant Sciences Potato Research station in Saskatoon. This area has a long history of potato production and is severely infested by both common (Streptomyces scabies) and powdery (Spongospora subterranea) scab. The manure source tested was turkey manure mixed with some pen straw. The manure was collected over a 3 month period. Just prior to seeding the crop, the manure was applied at 0, 10 or 20 t/acre and then incorporated to 15 cm utilizing a rotovator.
