Knowledgebase

Potato plants breaking off #870720

Asked May 30, 2024, 10:02 AM EDT

Multiple potoato plants breaking off at ground level. What could it be?

Lincoln County South Dakota

Expert Response

Are they breaking off right at the soil line?  How do the underground roots look?
An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 31, 2024, 4:45 PM EDT
Yes, breaking off at the soil line. Potatoes were healthy looking until a few days ago. I have started to replant. Roots looked good. Small poatoes were growing. I had 130 hill planted  and have lost at least 12 plants with several more having branches broken off. Cutworms? I have put Seven on the potatoes yestetday and today. Any more suggestions? Thanks!!!!! Diana Smit


On Fri, May 31, 2024 at 3:45 PM, Ask Extension
The Question Asker Replied May 31, 2024, 5:33 PM EDT
I think you are probably correct about the cutworms.  If you have few enough plants, you can put little collars fashioned out of cardboard aluminum foil or light plastic around the base of each plant.  The Univ. of Minnesota has excellent information on cutworms:  

Cutworms | UMN Extension
An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 31, 2024, 6:10 PM EDT
Thanks!


On Fri, May 31, 2024 at 5:10 PM, Ask Extension
The Question Asker Replied May 31, 2024, 7:22 PM EDT

Loading ...