Resistance is futile

[doofaloofa]

I have been growing Sante potaoes for several years, and I have noticed a decline in the varieties resistance to blight

Last year they developed blight in July. This is normal blight season for me, but I was surprised the were affected so soon

Any one else noticed this? Any other recomendation for a good blight resistant spud?

Thanks

[Odsox]

Yes, although it might be entirely my fault.
I grew Sarpo Mira and a few Sarpo Axona and both developed foliage blight very early, so early that the tubers were all very small.
But, they were all grown from saved seed of saved seed of saved seed as I bought the original four years ago, so not really blight resistant Sarpo any more.

I'm not growing any maincrop this year as I'm experimenting with continuous new spuds.

[doofaloofa]

Is resistance to blight affected by saving seed? I think not. Certification is to do with viruses (mosaic, leaf roll virus etc) as far as i know.

As a clone each tuber has identical DNA to the origenal plant and so should share bred in resisitances. I supose what is realy happening is the fungus is adapting itself to suit the spud!

The wife doesn't like Sarpo Mira. This is a real ptty because they are a super spud to grow

Local stockist has Setanta and Remarka listed as 'Very good ' resistance. Any one tried them?

[boboff]

decent seed potatoes are grown above 200mtrs I think, where they don't get any blight or something. its why you should buy seed pots every year. i am no expert mind but i think thats right.

[Odsox]

As far as I know (which is diminishing by the day) it's because of aphids rather than blight Boboff, as they spread virus diseases.
I don't have that problem down here so I'm not too bothered about saving seed of maincrop potatoes. I always buy fresh first earlies though as I never grow enough to leave in the ground to mature sufficiently to overwinter.