[beansticks]

A few weeks ago i posted about a problem with my spuds,to refresh i have 4 rows of Estima which have randomly succumbed to some sort of disease,it begins with wilting leaves,the plant material then goes limp,and the stems die back to ground level.This evening i have dug all the affected haulms out and noticed the stems are blackened and rotting.The tubers below were okay,though not of the size expected.In the same bed i have 1 row of Charlotte that is not affected at all and 1 row of Pentland Javelin which has only had 1 plant affected and that was only today.What is causing this,someone suggested it was Blackleg.Any thoughts greatly welcomed.

[DD.]

I think the RHS comprehensively cover this....

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=223

[Ice]

Just looked it up in Doc Hessayon and it is almost certainly blackleg.  He says to lift and burn affected plants but his books are a bit out of date.  Have a google for blackleg. 

[beansticks]

Excellent response Dave,thank you very much,also thanks to Ice.I am now convinced i have this problem from infected Seed,which was sourced from a reputable nursery.

[DD.]

Another member raised this in an erlier thread and was upset with the shop he bought the spud from. However as the RHS are at pains to point out it is impossible for suppliers to detect its presence.

[beansticks]

I just believe it is down to bad luck,i have bought Seed potato from the same place for 5 years and have never had a problem before.Now i know what the problem is i can remove affected haulms at the first sign of trouble.