[harry]

I dug a row of early potatoes last night and the very end plant had some with tiny holes in them. I thought i saw one wireworm but am not 100% what they look like. 

[mikem]

See:-

http://www.google.co.uk/images?rlz=1T4GFRC_enGB322GB323&q=wireworm&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=0ikrTLfADpXdsAaIpuCzDQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDUQsAQwAw

[harry]

Thanks for the link, it looks as though it could be a wireworm but why only one plant and what can i do about it.

[mikem]

Thanks for the link, it looks as though it could be a wireworm but why only one plant and what can i do about it.

I am not an expert but I believe that wireworm normally occurs in ground that has recently been cultivated (grass covered before - not sure about that).  However after 2/3 years of cultivation it goes away.  I used to have it on a plot that I took over that had not been cultivated properly for some years but I don't have a problem any more.  Could it be that the end potatoes are near to grass paths?

[Rampant_Weasel]

same here, now im on the 4th year of growing ive had 1 damaged potato out of a full row.

[harry]

Yes you're right its on the corner by the path and near where i park my car, so its probably a previously uncultivated bit. I took over the plot in january and it had been well cultivated. Does that mean i shouldn't plant anything in that spot for a couple of years and can the wire worm spread

[GreenOwl]

If you don't cultivate it you won't get rid of the problem.  I think you just have to live with it.  Mustard (as a green manure) is supposed to speed up the wireworm lifecycle and get rid of them quicker.