late blight

noun

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of late blight

: a disease of solanaceous plants (such as the potato and tomato) that is caused by a fungus (Phytophthora infestans) and is characterized by decay of stems, leaves, and in the potato also of tubers

Recent Examples of late blight from the Web

Potato late blight can destroy fields in days, and was central to the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s when 2 million people died from starvation and disease.

— tom page, CNN, "Potato power: Student wins $250,000 prize for blight solution that could save billions," 13 Mar. 2018
For late blight, keep foliage dry as much as possible, and check frequently for symptoms whenever the weather is wet.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "Grow Healthy Food By Identifying + Treating These Common Plant Diseases," 21 July 2015
On peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes, Phytophthora infection is known as late blight.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "Grow Healthy Food By Identifying + Treating These Common Plant Diseases," 21 July 2015
Immediately remove and destroy plants infected with late blight; prune off cankered shoots of shrubs.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "Grow Healthy Food By Identifying + Treating These Common Plant Diseases," 21 July 2015
The problem of potato late blight, though not as acute, persists.

— tom page, CNN, "Potato power: Student wins $250,000 prize for blight solution that could save billions," 13 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'late blight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.