Met Éireann, The Irish Meteorological Service, has issued a Status Yellow advisory for potato blight across Ireland until tomorrow morning. The national meteorological service indicated that conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will be particularly prevalent in the western and southwestern parts of the country.
These conditions are expected to persist until July 23rd, when cooler and fresher weather will spread from the west, reducing the risk of blight.
Potato blight is caused by a fungal-like organism called Phytophthora infestans. This pathogen thrives in humid weather, spreading rapidly on the foliage of potatoes and tomatoes, causing the leaves to decay and the crop to become infected.
Despite advances in fungicides, varieties, and forecasting, there is still no means of eradicating an outbreak of blight in a potato crop, making prevention crucial. According to Teagasc, €5 million is spent annually on fungicides to mitigate against the disease.
Meanwhile, Met Éireann has forecast mixed weather for Ireland for much of the coming week, with rain or showers at times but also some good dry periods. Current indications suggest that high pressure will build towards the weekend.
Overall, rainfall amounts are expected to be below average over much of the country, ranging from 5 to 20mm, with the highest amounts in Atlantic coastal areas. In the week ahead, mean air temperatures will generally be within a degree of average, ranging between 14° to 16°, coolest in Atlantic and northern areas. Soil temperatures are likely to remain near normal or slightly above.
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) across all soil types are generally between 10 and 57mm, highest in the east. However, soils are closer to saturation point in the northwest and far southwest. SMDs will fluctuate a little over the course of the week due to mixed weather but are expected to range generally between 5 and 55mm by next week, with SMDs lowest in the northwest and far southwest and highest in the south and east.
