Prevalence of different foliar and tuber diseases on different varieties of potato

摘要

Background: Potato is a starchy and tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum ofthe Solanaceae family. The annually consumed diet of an average global citizen in the firstdecade of the 21st century included about 33 kg (73 lbs) of potato. Potato has become animportant strategic vegetable crop of Pakistan. Therefore, potato health management hasassumed new proportions which require continuous monitoring and mapping of the diseaseproblems in the country.Methodology: In this study thirty genotypes of potato were evaluated for resistance/toleranceagainst foliar and tuber diseases. The trial was conducted in accordance with randomizedcomplete block design (RCBD) with three replications and the results were statisticallyanalyzed. Different normal agronomic and plant protection measures were carried out in thecrop. Data regarding disease incidence was recorded.Results: Results indicated soil and seed borne diseases are most widespread and are likely tobecome major threat to potato production in Pakistan. Among these stem canker (Rhizoctoniasolani) and black scurf, fusarium wilt and common scab (Streptomyces scabies) are majordiseases and present in almost all production zones. Among viral diseases, potato leaf rollvirus (PLRV) was the major disease. Mop top virus has been also found on some genotypes.Significant correlation was reported among emergence percentage, potato leaf roll virus, earlyblight of potato, black leg, potato virus Y (PVY), fusarium wilt, rhizocotonia and potatoyield.Conclusion: It was found that emergence percentage was significantly correlated with PLRV,PVY, fusarium wilt, rhizocotonia and potato yield while negative and significant correlationwas reported for black leg and cracking. The significant correlations indicated that emergencewas greatly affected by attack of different pathogens and potato yield also decreased due toloss of emergence.