. What is difference between early and late blight of potato
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Answer:
Early blight and late blight, two serious diseases of potato, are widely distributed. Both are found everywhere potatoes are grown. The terms "early" and "late" refer to the relative time of their appearance in the field, although both diseases can occur at the same time.
Early blight of potato is caused by the fungus, Alternaria solani, which can cause disease in potato, tomato, other members of the potato family, and some mustards. This disease, also known as target spot, rarely affects young, vigorously growing plants. It is found on older leaves first. Early blight is favored by warm temperatures and high humidity.
Late blight of potato is a serious disease caused by Phytophthora infestans. It affects potato, tomato and, occasionally, eggplant and other members of the potato family. Late blight is the worst potato disease. It was first reported in the 1830s in Europe and in the US. It is famous for being the cause of the 1840s Irish Potato Famine, when a million people starved and a million and a half people emigrated. Late blight continued to be a devastating problem until the 1880s when the first fungicide was discovered. In recent years, it has reemerged as a problem. It is favored by cool, moist weather and can kill plants within two weeks if conditions are right.