potato blight
noun
a devastating disease of potatoes produced by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans and the cause of the Irish potato famine of the mid-19th century
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Examples from the Web for potato blight
Historical Examples of potato blight
The direct effects of the potato-blight of 1845 were not so serious as had been expected.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)Charles Creighton
Botany and chemistry being powerless to stay the effects of the potato-blight, the appeal was next to economics.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)Charles Creighton
The forecast of Malthus was repeated in his own way by Cobbett, although neither of them foresaw the potato-blight as the means.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)Charles Creighton