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Late blight is the most devastating potato disease and control and losses globally exceed € 5 billion.

Late blight is the most devastating potato disease and control and losses globally exceed € 5 billion.The disease is caused by a fungus like organism, a so called oomycete. It attacks the potato though spores that are carried by wind and when leaves are wet for a few hours the spores germinate and enter the leaves. The organism exudes protein substances – effectors – that when recognized by a particular potato variety leads to a hyper sensitivity reaction.

Anton Haverkort
anton.haverkort@wur.nl