Fresh market potato season is underway in Florida, and what happens belowground right now will help determine performance at harvest.

Florida produces roughly 20,000–30,000 acres of potatoes annually, valued at over $100 million, supplying early-season “new potatoes” to markets across the U.S.

Sandy soils and warm conditions help growers reach market ahead of northern regions—but those same conditions can also favor plant-parasitic nematodes. As growers in the region know firsthand, fresh market potatoes in Florida commonly face pressure from:

• Sting nematodes
• Root-knot nematodes
• Lesion nematodes

Left unmanaged, these pests damage roots, reduce nutrient uptake, and limit yield and tuber quality.

That’s why many growers incorporate pre-plant soil preparation with TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant. Applied ahead of planting, TELONE™ helps reduce nematode pressure and create a protective zone that supports stronger root development, improved tuber quality, and greater marketable yields.