Potato Leafhopper Variety Selection Trials

Abstract

During the summer of 2002, leafhopper populations arrived early and caused considerable damage to potato crops throughout New York. Organic growers were especially hard-hit as there are no effective organic controls against leafhopper. As a result, variety trials on two organic farms were carried out in 2003 and continued in 2004. The goal was to evaluate and find varieties that were resistant to leafhopper damage and produced acceptable yields without spraying to control the leafhoppers.