Are my potatoes afflicted with potato scab - Ask Extension
Attached are pictures of an Adirondack blue and also a white potato from my home garden- raised beds. Are they afflicted with scab? Is the skin edible...
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Are my potatoes afflicted with potato scab #874089
Asked June 21, 2024, 2:08 PM EDT
Attached are pictures of an Adirondack blue and also a white potato from my home garden- raised beds. Are they afflicted with scab? Is the skin edible like this? How can I avoid this condition?
Kent County Maryland
Expert Response
The symptoms do resemble Potato Scab, at least on the white potato, though it looks mild. If so, the lesions can be peeled off and the potatoes are safe to eat. In addition to the page linked above, Cornell has more information about Potato Scab and its management/avoidance options, including crop rotation (some suggestions of which are admittedly geared more towards farms than home gardeners), using scab-resistant cultivars, and checking on soil acidity (pH). A laboratory soil test can be useful if pH needs measuring, as it's more accurate (and has the benefit of analysis key nutrient levels) and easier to interpret than home test kits or probes.
Miri
Miri