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50 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2018 50 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2018 POTATOES & PATHOGENS Mitigating threats both biological and economic United Potato Growers of America Buzz Shahan Chief Operating Offi cer Just as crop scientists have accumulated volumes of information about plant pathogens, enlightened produce suppliers do the same thing regarding supply/price parameters. the developing plants, anxious to detect any and all impending pathogenic threats to plant health. Accompanied by acute soil moisture management, this is the process of growing the highest-quality potato crop possible. Considering the enormous investment at stake, what potato grower would do less? What potato grower would intentionally marginalize his crop's chance for maximum economic performance? But this is only half of the success equation— and perhaps the lesser half. What is the In the potato world, the term "pathogen" refers to a class of threats to potato plant health. The list of potato pathogens includes such infectious agents as viruses, bacteria, protozoans, fungi and certain other, lesser-known micro- organisms. At the earliest planning for a new crop, the potato grower carefully selects a seed source documented to be pathogen- free. Just as the seed must be pathogen-free, the soil into which the seed will be planted must also be as free from pathogens as fumigation, seed treatments, seed-line protectors, and extended crop rotations can make it. Following emergence, crop protection experts daily survey The Place to Go for Potato Equipment Contact Our Specialists! 5806 N Industrial Way, Suite A Pasco, WA 99301 800-572-0391 potatoes.eiijd.com PO Box 548, Othello, WA 99344 Travis Chlarson.............509-750-4747 Gary Hoffer....................509-331-6160 Let our specialists help you plan and configure the equipment to meet your needs, including: planters, harvesters, eliminators, seed cutters, pilers, etc. They can integrate any combination of products. 162108EveImp13h.indd 1 10/24/17 10:38 AM Willful ignorance of all available economic information can be just as devastating to a potato grower's bottom line as any debilitating crop disease.