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MANAGEMENT OF BLACK SCURF DISEASE OF POTATO

C.A. RAUF, M. ASHRAF^* AND I. AHMAD^**

Abstract: Management of black scurf (Rhizoctoni solani) of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) through determining level of susceptibility in various breeding lines/cultivars of potato and tuber treatment with various fungicides was investigated by using R. solani AG-3 isolate CL-58 (a known aggressive). Greenhouse screening of fifteen potato breeding lines and cultivars for host plant resistance to isolate CL-58 by soil inoculation revealed potato cvs. Cardinal and Desiree, resistant and susceptible, respectively. Management of disease by using susceptible cv. Desiree through potato  tuber treatment with fungicides viz., Dithane M-45, Monceren and Benlate and then sowing them in potting mixture previously inoculated with inoculum of  the fungus revealed Dithane M-45, a promising fungicide for  management of this disease.  It significantly checked eyes germination inhibition and decreased sprout killing, stem girdling, stem canker, black scurf incidence and severity over non-treated inoculated control. Based upon the results achieved, it is necessary to adopt this practice as seed treatment of chemicals is not a regular exercise in Pakistan. This in-turn will protect potato crop from seed-borne infection and will ultimately lead to better and healthy crop stand

Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi,  Pakistan.
Email: raufchaudhary@hotmail.com