In Iran, potatoes are one of the major food crops and are under significant threat from Potato Blight. Iranian growers have responded to this threat by adopting a world leading Australian control for the disease, Agri-Fos 400.

Iran enlists Australian help in fighting notorious disease

Potato Blight is a wide spread problem. It has become part of public folklore following incidents such as the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-7 in which over a million people died.

Potato Blight has a reputation so notorious, that many people in the general public know of this infectious crop disease.

Thankfully today, most communities no longer depend upon a single crop. However, Potato Blight still poses a serious threat to the livelihood of growers in many parts of the world.

In Iran, potatoes are one of the major food crops and are under significant threat from Potato Blight. Iranian growers have responded to this threat by adopting a world leading Australian control for the disease, Agri-Fos 400.

The phosphite based treatment, which has been used with great success around the world is manufactured by Australian fertiliser company, Agrichem. Technical Specialist, Lucia Grimmer, says that phosphite has a unique mode of action that makes it especially effective against Potato Blight.

?Potato Blight is caused by a fungus, Phytophthora infestans which is a disease that affects potato.?

?The phosphite suppresses this invading fungus whilst also boosting the plant?s own defence mechanisms. Unlike many other treatments, the phosphite acts systemically, flowing up the xylem and down the phloem thus thoroughly treating and protecting affected crops.?

Agrichem is pursuing registration of this treatment in a number of countries and continues to receive positive feedback from growers worldwide.