Back to Contents

FREE FULL TEXT PDF

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF POTATO CULTIVARS TO SPONGOSPORA SUBTERRANEA UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

SHAMIM IFTIKHAR, ATIQ-UR-REHMAN RATTU, SHAHZAD ASAD AND KHURSHID BURNEY

Abstract: Spongospora subterranea f. sp. Subterranean, the causal organism of powdery scab of potato is a severe problem in many areas of the world where potato crop is grown. Due to seed and soil borne nature of the pathogen, it is difficult to manage using a single method of control. Therefore, growers are heading towards an integrated management approach for effective control of powdery scab. The most cost-effective, long term and environment friendly way of controlling the disease is to identify the cultivars resistant to the disease. During the current study, 6 potato varieties viz., Sante, Diamant, Cardinal, Desiree, Faisalabad white and Faisalabad red were screened against S. subterranea in a naturally infested field at Sharan in Kaghan valley. All six varieties showed different levels of susceptibility to S. subterranea. Desiree cultivar showed lowest percent incidence of disease with low severity. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in weight and number of tubers in Diamant, Faisalabad white and Faisalabad red but this has no correlation with the disease incidence and severity.

Crop Diseases Research Program, Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, National Agricultural Research Centre, Park Road, Islamabad-45500, Pakistan.