Early blight diagnosis service

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Problems with early blight (Alternaria) are on the rise in recent years. Diagnosis of early blight is difficult due to visual similarities to symptoms caused by nutrient deficiencies or other fungal diseases. This also leads to confusion in proper control of blight. Therefore, HLB now offers a fast diagnosis of early blight and provides an advice for farmers where possible. Early blight (Alternaria) is on the rise as a disease in potatoes. On top of this, the correct diagnosis of the disease is problematic as it is often confused with other diseases or deficiency symptoms. Last season, a big number of samples arrived at HLB as “Alternaria”. Further research of these samples showed the fungus Alternaria solani was absent in a large amount of these samples, suggesting it was not early blight that caused these symptoms. As a result in practice, farmers sprayed early blight fungicides at symptoms which were not causes by early blight. By the time the real fungus reared its head, control was no longer possible due to fungicide use regulations. To prevent such confusions, HLB now offers a specialized early blight diagnosis service. Samples are sent to our lab, with some additional information and we make sure you receive the result in a few workdays. For good results you can send 2 or 3 full symptomatic leaves, put them in a plastic bag with some air and tie the bag up. Ideally samples are sent to us at the start of the week so they do not get stuck in the mail during weekends. Print this form, fill it in and send it along with the sample to: HLB t.a.v. Alternaria diagnose Kampsweg 27 9418 PD, Wijster The Netherlands