New 'Focus on Potato' Webcasts Tackle Hairy Nightshade, Potato Tuber Moth

Hairy nightshade and potato tuberworm (or potato tuber moth) are two economically important inhibitors to potato production. Hairy nightshade is in the same genus as potato, and subjecting these plants to many of the same pests while limiting tactics for control. Potato tuberworms are among the most important constraints to potato production worldwide.

Two of the latest ‘Focus on Potato’ webcasts, published by the Plant Management Network, focus on these economically important potato pests.

Hairy Nightshade Control, Biology and Competition in Potatoes
 

Pamela J.S. Hutchinson, Ph.D.

“Hairy Nightshade Control, Biology and Competition in Potatoes” by Dr. Pamela Hutchinson, Potato Cropping Systems Weed Scientist at the University of Idaho, is a two-part presentation.

The presentations are developed to help consultants, growers, and other practitioners in U.S. potato growing regions understand hairy nightshade’s biology, how it competes with various potato varieties, and controlling this weed with cultural and herbicide methods.

Part one, titled Nightshade Control in Potatoes, offers strategies and tactics for controlling hairy nightshade and other weeds problematic in potato, including cutleaf, black, and eastern black nightshade.

Part two discusses the biology of hairy nightshade. When a practitioner fully understands the biology of hairy nightshade, then putting together effective integrated weed management strategies to target this weed is possible.

Building an IPM Approach for Managing the Potato Tuberworm
 

Silvia I. Rondon, Ph.D.

“Building an IPM Approach for Managing the Potato Tuberworm” by Dr. Silvia Rondon, Associate Professor and Extension Entomologist Specialist at Oregon State University, was produced to help, growers, and other practitioners in potato production regions of the U.S. to understand the biology, ecological distribution and management of the potato tuberworm, also known as the potato tuber moth.

Practitioners will specifically learn how to identify tuberworm problems and how to establish integrated pest management programs.
 

Potato Tuber Moth (Potato Tuber Worm) (Phthorimaea operculella)

Both presentations are open access through July 31, 2014.

Other presentations in the Focus on Potato resource can be found at www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/fop.