Dhaka: The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has issued an early warning about late blight disease, a highly destructive fungus affecting potatoes caused by a microorganism. The potato late blight, or fungal infection, is likely to reach epidemic proportions during this winter season, as stated in an alert issued by the plant protection wing of the DAE.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, early warning instructions are typically issued for farmers to safeguard their crops under such conditions. The DAE message highlighted that the period from November to February is particularly sensitive for the disease, which tends to spread rapidly during low temperatures, foggy, cloudy, and drizzling weather conditions.
The DAE alert further detailed the symptoms of the disease, noting that watery, blister-like spots appear in green or yellow form on the foliage at the onset of the disease. These spots quickly turn black, causing the plant leaves to gradually decompose. After receiving the weather forecast, which is conducive to the disease, the DAE advised farmers to immediately spray fungicide, mixing two grams of fungicide per liter of water every seven days for disease prevention.
If the crop is already infected, the agriculture extension department recommended that farmers cease irrigation on the land and apply the fungicide at the prescribed dose at intervals of every four to five days.