Ring rot found in Prince Edward Island seed potatoes

Potato ring rot has shown up on at least two Prince Edward Island farms, the provincial Department of Agriculture has confirmed.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is investigating now to determine the extent of the problem.

"When bacterial rot is found in a seed lot those farms will lose their seed potato status,"said Dave McManus, the seed potato program co-ordinator with the CFIA. "They can market their potatoes for table stock but they can't market them for seed."

Ring rot is caused by bacteria. It causes a ring in the potato of a sticky, cheesy bacterial ooze. As the disease progresses, the tissue surrounding the ring becomes infected and the entire centre of the potato disintegrates. The infected potatoes also give off an offensive smell.

There is zero tolerance for ring rot in seed potatoes.