Phoma is a dark-colored dry-rot fungus.
Gangrene (Phoma exigua var. foveata) is a dark-colored dry-rock fungus.
Occurs mainly in storage and preservation (potatoes). The fungus survives in the soil and from that’s where the infection starts.
Where to find
- Potato
- Parsnips
Control
Seed potatoes may have become infected by residual fungus in boxes. Remove infested potatoes.
Prevention
Careful harvesting: avoid damaging the potatoes. These form the entries for fungus such as Phoma.
Plant resistant potato varieties.
During the first weeks of storage, keep the temperature at 9°C, this promotes the healing (corking) of the wounds. Any infection with Phoma is encapsulated by the cork of the wound.
