The annual Miller Research Potato Pest Management Seminar is slated from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Historic Wilson Theatre, 610 Fremont. St., Rupert, Idaho.

Efforts to find an alternative to fumigation — and in turn reduce environmental impact and improve soil health — are a theme this year, said Miller Research CEO and plant pathologist Jeff Miller.

Metam sodium fumigation “has been a fairly productive tool that does increase yields,” he said.

But Metam — which has been effective for managing Verticillium wilt and some nematode pests, according to Miller Research — is expensive and toxic, and “it would be nice to find an alternative,” Miller said. “Are there other tools that will give us positives without the negatives?”

The Northwest Potato Research Consortium funded a study of alternatives to Metam sodium for reducing Verticillium and improving tuber yield and grade. Miller is scheduled to discuss first-year results of that study, and results of a six-year project involving the use of compost and green manure crops as a potential Metam replacement.

Efforts at using other chemicals, even those based in biologics, have not succeeded, he said.

Dairy manure compost “can work very well, but also has some drawbacks” such as increases in salt concentrations in some soils, Miller said. Upped salt concentrations can reduce crop quality and yield.

The use of dairy manure compost shows potential for improving soil biology and, indirectly, reducing disease, he said.

Other topics to be discussed by various speakers include studies on field treatments for reducing aerial stem rot, studies on the potential of tubers to develop soft rot when washed for fresh packing, and research on fungicide use for Black Dot control in stems and tubers.

The 2024 growing season was “rather quiet for us as far as many diseases go,” Miller said. “We weren’t really hit with big surprises.”

A $35 fee includes materials and lunch. Pesticide credits are available.

Information: 208-531-5124 or cheryn@millerresearch.com