Potatoes and other nightshade plants are susceptible to several diseases. As a result, the curling of leaves is a frequent problem for potato growers. To begin with, finding out what’s causing the problem is the first step in solving it. Any of the numerous potential causes could be the reason if you realize this side effect on your potato plants. You’ll learn about the various possible causes of potato plant leaves curling in this post, along with helpful advice on managing it and restoring the plant’s health.
What causes this leaf curling disease?
The Curculifer tenellus, a beet leafhopper, spreads the pathogen. The leafhopper pest spreads the disease to many crops and weeds, such as Tomatoes, Beets, Peppers, Beans, Spinach, Squash, and Cucurbits.
Both leafhoppers and the virus can be found on a wide variety of weeds and wild plants. The leafhopper ingests the virus in the form of the cell sap, which nurtures in the leafhopper for 4 to 21 hours until being transmitted. The illness is then spread through the tissues of the plant.
The potato plant’s leaves can curl for several different reasons. The following list includes some of the illnesses:
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Curly pinnacle virus of potatoes
The illness known as potato curly pinnacle bacterial infection is brought on by a group of closely related pathogens known as circovirus. The name of this disease, which derives from the vegetable itself and is also frequently found in beets, is the beet curly pinnacle virus.
Stunted growth and curled, yellow leaves are symptoms of the potato curly pinnacle virus. In addition, the symptoms of the illness have been transformed into tubers, which are aerial tubers and cutting, elongated tubers.
By using certified seeds, you can reduce the likelihood of contracting the disease and lessen its effects. To prevent leafhoppers and the spread of disease, control the weeds and cover them with mesh barriers. Additionally, it will cover the plants that are positioned next to them.
The best way to protect your plant after those who start showing symptoms is to pull it out entirely and damage it, as this will prevent it from stunting its growth and harming them.
Potato Virus Y
A disease called the Potato Virus Y, or PVY, has an effect on commercial potato production. The disease is caused by a virus that belongs to the Potyviridae family and is a pathogen to many plants, including potatoes, tomatoes, and capsicum. It frequently spreads by way of aphids. It may remain latent in the seeds and spread the disease to the plant that develops from its fragments.
Mild and dark patterns that crinkle the leaves surfaces and the untimely death of the plant are the symptoms that are visible on the leaves.
The plant’s development is stunted, and the leaves fall off when the illness reaches a critical stage. As a result, you may find light brown rings on the surface of the tubers once the disease has spread to them.
Plant only authorized seed potatoes, choose PVY-resistant potato varieties, and immediately dispose of old plant residues after harvest to prevent the spread of disease to the new plants. To prevent it from spreading to the contrary plant life, destroy and remove all of the potato plant life that exhibits symptoms of the virus.
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Potato leafroll disease
The potato leafroll disease, also known as PLRV, is a dangerous virus that follows PVY in the sector. It is brought on by an epidemic within the Solemoviridae family and is additionally spread by aphids, primarily peach aphids.
The pathogen affects plants that are members of the Solanaceae family, including potatoes. Severe infections have the potential to stunt a plant’s growth and even cause its demise.
The initial symptoms of this illness are yellow leaves with an upward spinning of the rims. As the disease progresses, the leaves become wrinkled and crunchy, and plant growth is slowed.
Planting certified potato seeds can reduce the likelihood of the disease spreading. In addition, keep the lawn bed free of weed growth and self-sown potatoes, and use chemical pesticides early in the season to keep aphids away from the plants.
Potato Leafhopper
The potato leafhopper, also known as Empoasca fabae, is an infestation that attacks a variety of plants, including potatoes. These minor, inexperienced bugs move around a lot. The winged insects eat the potato leaves with the aid of piercing, sucking mouthparts.
Because the potato leafhopper feeds on the molecular saps, necrosis inside the leaflets starts at the tips and progresses to the margins before impacting the entire leaf. In extreme circumstances, it might lead to defoliation.
When the weather is warm and dry, the symptoms appear more quickly. Some indications that potato leafhoppers afflict your plant life include upturn curly yellow leaves and very little plant life.
The practical measures that can be taken include avoiding planting potatoes near alfalfa areas because those fields are infested with pests that could help timely the potato crop once the alfalfa has been harvested.
To put up a higher defense against pest damage, keep the plants well-fed and well-hydrated. Pesticides applied to the leaves can also be used to control leafhoppers.
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Herbicides
Herbicides are chemical substances that can be used to avoid adverse flora in gardens. While directed herbicides are most effective at eliminating a few specific plant species from the lawn, they can also have an impact on other plants.
When herbicide residues are found in the soil, the chemical substances accidentally hit the plant, causing the potato leaves to curl. In addition, chemical compound strains from nearby fields can also be transmitted to your potato crop.
Herbicides can cause twisting, creasing, yellowing, and withering of leaves and stunted plant growth. Avoid using herbicides in your gardens; they harm plant life and can be very damaging to the plant’s health.
Even if you have to, add those different chemicals during autumn. Please don’t add them while they’re still developing.
Inadequate Water Retention of the Plants
Potato leaf curling is frequently the result of improper watering. The shape and form of the leaves can be harmed by too much and too little watering.
Avoid overwatering the crop while watering it frequently to keep the soil moist. Ensure that the soil has good drainage and that there is no longer any standing water near the roots. Mulch the plant’s surroundings to help the soil retain water until the next watering.
How can you grow healthy potato plants?
When planting potatoes, there are a few recommendations and requirements for such potato plants that must be kept in mind. The following are listed either for commercial use or home gardens:
Planting the Licensed Seed Potatoes: Planting certified seed potatoes ensure that you start with disease-free potatoes. Avoid growing from potatoes because they might have diseases that could spread the infection to the new plant; if you must, check the potato for any diseases.
Pre-sprouting Potatoes: It’s a great way to give the potato seedlings a head start prior to planting them on the ground.
Grow in Full Sun: Plant your potatoes in full sunlight, where they will receive 6 to 8 hours of sunshine if planted in acidic, well-tired soil.
Plant potatoes in the springtime because they thrive in cooler climates. They are best planted in the spring. The potato seeds will rot in wet, waterlogged soil. The plantation of the seeds depends on the soil’s moisture and condition, as is the plant’s growth.
Maintain Soil Moistness: Keeping the potato bed’s soil moist is crucial, so watering frequency should be monitored for a week.
Protect your potatoes from developing tubers on the soil by mulching closely and keeping the soil away from the tubers.
After the plant blooms, you can begin reaping new potatoes as required for food. However, it would help if you let the potatoes grow ultimately for food storage. Allow the tubers to mature on the ground if you are growing potatoes for storage.
Unwashed potatoes should be cured before removal, allowing the skin to thicken and heal. Cured tubers should be kept in the dark, airtight containers or packing containers.
For Healthy Soil, Rotate Your Potato Crop: Potatoes on the lawn need to be rotated every three to twelve months. Potatoes should appear in a different location for three to four years. Beans, leafy green vegetables, and any other crop other than potatoes should be planted after potatoes.
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Conclusion
Once you understand the fundamentals, developing potatoes is very simple. You can give your family and close friends a delicious, natural, and nutrient-rich meal from homegrown potatoes. The satisfaction of knowing that you began growing them yourself is also fulfilling.
Growing something unique on your lawn elicits very different emotions. First, it gives you a sense of joy because it is something you have worked so hard, patiently, and difficulty to grow.
As long as you have your production, you can eat whenever you want, whether mashed, fried, or boiled. Please pick them up off the grass, wash them, and prepare them as you see fit. You could grow potatoes in your garden or your garden while taking into account the guidelines and requirements for the plantation.