The influence of manganese on the development of potato scab

Summary The development of common scab on potato crops growing in slightly acid to neutral soils has been shown to be greatly reduced by application of manganese sulphate to the soil at planting time. A general improvement in health and appearance of tubers was noted and increased yields of marketable tubers were obtained. The possibility that environmental factors known to influence the development of scab are only important in so far as they affect the solubility of soil manganese is discussed.