BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF EARL Y DYING OF POTATOES

Premature vine death and declining yields are a long-standing problem in many areas where potatoes have been in production for several years. This syndrome, called potato early dying (PED), occurs in both nonirrigated and irrigated production areas of the United States. It is especially important in irrigated areas of the central, southern, and western states (53, 57, 72, 75, 77). Common synonyms for this disease include early maturity wilt, early die, and verticillium wilt. In long-established potato production areas, especially in the north-central states, the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota, and in Idaho, PED has developed slowly over many years. Growers often do not realize that their yield expectations are low and consider early maturity a "normal" situation on their land. The recognition of PED in long-established production areas has been complicated by the trend over the last 10-20 years of increasing yields due to improved cultivars, cultural practices, and pest controls. In many