Late blight again attacking tomato plants across state

Late blight — a disease that infected tomato and potato plants throughout the north country last year — is on its way back.

The disease has been reported in Genesee, Washington, Chenango, Broome, Livingston and possibly Erie counties, as well as northern Vermont, according to the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Canton.

Late blight usually starts on upper leaves and rapidly forms large dark dead zones on leaves and stems. A white fuzzy growth often shows on the undersides of leaves at the edge of the dead zones.

Growers should check their crops several times a week for signs of the disease and report suspicious plants to the extension office at 379-9192.

Infected plants must be destroyed to avoid spreading infection through spores. Plants must be dug up and placed in a plastic bag to make sure the disease is dead before the plant is disposed of.