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Disease potato cause? #907671

Asked June 28, 2025, 9:33 PM EDT

A large part of my potato patch has stunted plants and curled leaves. I think it might be spreading to healthy plants. What is it? How does one treat it?

Cass County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Morning Pam, 

Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service. 

We are volunteer Master Gardeners who answer yard and garden questions. From viewing your photos, it appears you have a business farm? 

From viewing your photos, I am wondering if this could be herbicide drift from a nearby farm field? Have you inspected the plants for signs of blight or insects? 

Here are several links about growing potatoes and potato diseases: 

This link is all about growing potatoes in the home garden and discusses aphids causing curled leaves: https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-potatoes#insects-3271010

https://blog-fruit-vegetable-ipm.extension.umn.edu/2021/04/2021-considerations-pondering-potatoes.html

Here is a link to the Cass County Extension office: https://extension.umn.edu/local/cass

There are staff contacts, and agriculture contacts you could call, if all of the above information does not help to resolve the problem. 

Good Luck!


Maureen Graber Replied June 30, 2025, 8:47 AM EDT

Pam, 

Another thought on your potatoes. It occurs to me you might be in one of those counties that experienced very heavy rain over the past few weeks. The diseased potatoes on your photo do appear to be all together. Have you had unusually heavy rain? Are these potatoes in a rather low spot in your field? 

Although the curling leaves are not a symptom, this could be a sign of drowning or edema. Here is a link: https://extension.illinois.edu/plant-problems/drowning-and-edema

I hope this helps!


Maureen Graber Replied June 30, 2025, 10:32 AM EDT

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