Controlling zebra chin diseasefrom the inside out

摘要

Zebra chip disease in potatoes is currently being managed by controlling the potato psyllid with insecticides. But one Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist is trying to manage the disease symptoms with alternative methods and chemistries.The disease is caused by a bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum which is transmitted by the psyllid, said Dr. Ron French, AgriLife Extension plant pathologist in Amarillo."Biological control methods can target psyllid populations in a field, but it takes a while for them to be effective, and by then the insect has already transmitted the bacterium into the plant, especially, if that psyllid flew into the field. It only takes a few hours for a psyllid to acquire and transmit the bacterium from plant to plant," French said.