The first outbreaks of potato blight in Ireland this year have been reported on farms in Wexford, Kilkenny and Cork.
Blight hit Cork on the 6th of May and spread to Wexford and south Kilkenny during the past week, a Teagasc blight recording system found.
Potato blight, or Phytophthora infestans, is a fungal plant disease that causes potatoes to rot in the ground where affected. Blight is particularly prevalent in warm moist conditions.
The average date of outbreak of blight for main crop potatoes is in the latter half of July; but for early crops in the south of the country, an outbreak of the disease can be much earlier, according to Teagasc.
Once blight has appeared, the further development of an epidemic is dependent on the control programme, variety, growth stage and the prevailing weather conditions, the agricultural research and advisory body said.
All potato-growing areas are being monitored by the potato inspectors of the Department of Agriculture andFood as well as specialist advisers in Teagasc.
Teagasc is a semi-state organisation set up to provide research, training and advice for the agri-food industry in Ireland.