Response of tubers of five potato cultivars to co-inoculation with US-1 and US-8 genotypes ofPhytophthora infestans

Summary The severity of late blight tuber rot in five potato cultivars (Green Mountain, Sebago, Dorita, AC Brador and Island Sunshine) resulting from inoculation with US-1/US-8 combinations of Canadian isolates ofPhytophthora infestans was evaluated. In addition, the potential for mixed (A1∶A2) inoculations to result in oospore formation was examined. In studies conducted in 1996 and 1997, cv. Dorita (and Island Sunshine in 1997) developed the least amount of surface or internal necrosis relative to the other cultivars following co-inoculation with US-1 and US-8 isolates ofP. infestans. Differences also were revealed among isolate combinations used for inoculation. The combination of a US-1 isolate from Prince Edward Island with a US-8 isolate from New Brunswick consistently produced the least amount of necrosis in tubers of the various cultivars. There was no evidence of oospore production in any of the tubers examined. AAFC Contribution No. 919     

Race diversity and virulence complexity ofPhytophthora infestans in Nepal

Summary A total of 251Phytophthora infestans isolates collected during 1999–2000 potato growing seasons from nine potato growing areas of Nepal were tested for virulence using a set of eleven potato differentials. The virulence test revealed the presence of 30 races with the most frequent being 4.11, 4 and 11. Twenty-nine percent of isolates belonged to simple races having none to one virulence factor, whereas 71% had complex virulence factors governed by 2 to 7 genes. Gleason and Shannon indices of 5.24 and 2.59, respectively, showed a moderate level of diversity in NepaleseP. infestans populations. Shannon indices comparison among regional populations revealed significant differences (t-test, P<0.001) in the diversity. The population from hills were the most diverse followed byterai and the high hill populations. The virulence complexities were minimal in Nepalese populations. The implications of these findings in association with the potato cultivation system in Nepal are discussed.     

The return ofPhytophthora infestans, a potato pathogen that just won't quit

Summary Since the early 1980s and continuing through the end of the 20^th century, potato late blight caused byPhytophthora infestans has become noticeably more problematic throughout the world. Exotic strains of the pathogen are largely responsible for the increased problems. The new strains were initially detected in Europe, but subsequently they have been detected in Asia, the Middle East, South America and North America. Populations in the Middle East and South America may represent secondary migrations from Europe. Several independent migrations have occurred such that migrant populations in North America are very different from those in Europe. Also, population structures ofP. infestans are different in different worldwide locations. In some locations the migrant strains are resistant to metalaxyl, but in other locations either migrant or indigenous strains may be resistant. In most locations, the migrant strains are more aggressive than the previous indigenous strains.     

Variation in tuber pathogenicity ofPhytophthora infestans in the Netherlands

Summary Variation in aggressiveness to tubers among isolates ofPhytophthora infestans sampled from three potato growing regions in the Netherlands was compared. Variation in the ability to infect tubers of cv. Bintje was found between isolates of each of the three regional populations. The most aggressive isolate of the old population matched the average level of the new population in its ability to infect tubers. As a consequence, the commonly used reference isolate VK 6C can no longer be considered to be representative of the present population ofP. infestans. Therefore it is recommended that testing tuber resistance for the official list of potato cultivars with this isolate should be discontinued. Tuber infection and subsequent spread of the fungus in the tuber tissues were not found to be correlated. The components of tuber pathogenicity studied were not correlated to pathogenicity factors in the foliage, as measured under growth chamber conditions.     

Defence reactions in two potato cultivars following infection with two races ofPhytophthora infestans

Summary The kinetics of accumulation of chitinases, glucanases and phytoalexins were studied in two potato cultivars, differing in their degrees of vertical and horizontal resistance, when infected with two races ofPhytophthora infestans. Tuber disks of cvs Kennebec (susceptible, low horizontal resistance) and Huinkul (tolerant, high horizontal resistance) were infected with either race “0” (avirulent) or “C” (complex, race 1.3.5.7.11) ofPhytophthora infestans. Extracts of tuber tissue (0–7 days) from cv. Kennebec infected with race “0” showed a strong increase in phytoalexin production and in chitinase and glucanase activities when compared with those infected with race “C”. These results indicate that race “C” is able to block defensive reactions. No significant differences were observed in cv. Huinkul infected with both races. The contribution of these reactions to horizontal resistance is unknown, and our results would not support a conclusive role for them in the interaction.     

Susceptibility toPhytophthora infestans of field-and glass-house-grown potato tubers

Summary Tests for resistance toPhytophthora infestans were done twice in each of 2 years on field- and glasshouse-grown tubers of ten cultivars. The cultivar rankings, were almost identical for the means of the four glasshouse tests and the means of the four field tests. However, for the field tests but not for the glasshouse tests there were cultivar x harvest date and cultivar x year interactions. It is concluded that resistance can be assessed on glasshouse-grown tubers and that such assessments should prove more consistent over years than those done on field-grown tubers. R.L. Wastie died 16.1.96     

Changes in the distribution of phenylamide-resistant strains ofPhytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary in Ireland 1985–89

Summary Phenylamide-based fungicides were reintroduced to the Irish market in 1985. Mixtures of phenylamides and mancozeb were recommended for no more than 3 sprays in potato late blight control programmes with the last systemic spray to be applied not later than 31 July. Samples of potato foliage infected withP. infestans were collected from the main potato growing areas in Ireland over a five-year period starting in 1985. Using the floating disc method, 11% of the crops sampled in 1985 were found to have phenylamide-resistant strains ofP. infestans present. The number of crops with resistant strains increased rapidly up to 1988 when 83% of the crops sampled had resistance. Factors affecting the distribution of resistance and the efficacy of a phenylamide-based spray programme are discussed.     

Indications of soil borne inoculum ofPhytophthora infestans

Summary In this paper we present observations made during three years in a potato field in Sweden that indicated the presence of soil borne inoculum ofPhytophthora infestans. In 1994, a fungicide trial against late blight was left in the field with various degrees of late blight infection. In 1995, cereals was grown in the field. In 1996, certified potato seed tubers were planted and blight appeared early in the season in a pattern corresponding to the heavily infected areas in 1994. No volunteer potato plants were found in 1995 or 1996. Both mating types A1 and A2 were isolated in 1996 and 1997 and oospores were found in leaves, stems as well as in stolons.     

Reaction toPhytophthora infestans of potato genotypes with race-specific resistance

Summary Phytophthora infestans isolates collected in Poland in 1987–1995 were evaluated on detached leaflets of a differential series consisting of potato genotypes possessing resistance genes R1–R11. On the same differentials was evaluated over three years a highly virulentP. infestans isolate MP 245. Isolate MP 245 and those from natural populations ofP. infestans were seldom or inconsistently pathogenic to R5, R8 and R9. When leaflets of the differentials were infected with MP 245 the lesions were often small and sporulation weak. A statistically significant interaction was found between years and pathogenicity of MP 245 to individual differentials. Attempts to train the isolate MP 245 for pathogenicity to R9 were unsuccessful. The variation in specific resistance of potato genotypes may complicate the evaluation of their resistance toP. infestans, as well as the evaluation of the virulence spectrum of natural fungus populations. This variation may be due to changes in specific pathogenicity of the fungus or in specific resistance of the potato. Some differentials have a possibly useful resistance toP. infestans.     

Resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary) of potato plants regenerated fromin vitro selected calli

Summary Cells of seven potato cultivars were selectedin vitro with culture filtrate (CF) ofPhytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary. Regenerated plants were tested for late blight resistance. The aim of the study was to check the efficacy of CF in the selection of potatoes for resistance to late blight and to evaluate the effects of additive factors on general resistance. One selection cycle, applied to a cell culture system, selected cells resistant to toxic metabolites of CF.In vivo screening of clones regenerated from selected cells was done in two steps: on whole plants, assessing foliage late blight, and on detached leaves, assessing single factors of horizontal resistance. In general, the frequency of resistant variants selected with CF did not differ from that of resistant somaclonal variants. Nevertheless, high concentrations of CF in the growth medium seemed to induce an improvement of some partial resistance factors as compared with the source plants.     

Progeny tests to identify diploid potato clones homozygous at loci controlling resistance to PLRV

Summary Using potato parental lines homozygous at a locus or loci controlling resistance to potato leafroll virus (PLRV) can give advantages in the selection of resistant forms. In order to identify homozygous diploid clones their test-cross families were evaluated. All the clones that were test-crossed expressed resistance in primarily- and secondarily-infected plants and etiolated sprouts, and were derived from mating genotypes highly resistant to PLRV. Genotypes from test-cross families varied in resistance to PLRV, and one family was found which had only resistant genotypes, suggesting that the resistant parent of this progeny was homozygous at resistance loci. Evidence was gathered that resistance in some diploid clones may result from resistance to virus multiplication as well as restricted virus transport from leaves to tubers.     

Phenotypes ofPhytophthora infestans in Nepal: mating types and metalaxyl sensitivity

Summary Potato late blight has appeared in epidemic proportions in Nepal since the mid 1990s and fungicides have been reported to be decreasingly effective in managing the disease.Phytophthora infestans isolates were collected from potato crops during 1999–2000 and analysis of 371 isolates for mating types and 270 isolates for metalaxyl sensitivity revealed the presence of both new and old populations. This is the first report on the presence of metalaxyl-resistant isolates in Nepal. The frequencies of A1 and A2 were 83 and 17%, respectively. Metalaxyl-resistant, intermediate and sensitive isolates were recorded as 10%, 12% and 78% respectively. Metalaxyl resistance was distributed in both mating types. Sites with a history of metalaxyl use had a significantly higher number of resistant and intermediate isolates ({ie337-1}, P<0.01) than sites where metalaxyl had not been used. This study confirms the changes in population structure ofP. infestans in Nepal.     

Tuberization in potato at high temperatures: Responses to exogenous gibberellin,cytokinin and ethylene

Summary In potato (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Sebago), benzyladenine (BA) promoted tuberization at high day/night temperatures (32°/18°C), while gibberrellic acid (GA) and chlorethylphosphonic acid (CEPA) reduced tuberization at low day/night temperatures (22°/18°C). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that temperature exerts its influence on tuber formation by altering the balance between endogenous gibberellins, cytokinins and inhibitors, but not ethylene.     

Reduced fungicide inputs to controlPhytophthora infestans in potato cultivars with high levels of polygenic resistance

Summary Final disease ratings, apparent infection rates and areas under disease progress curves were used to calculate lower fungicide rates for potato cultivars with high levels of polygenic resistance toPhytophthora infestans. Areas under disease progress curves offered more reliable indications than final disease ratings or apparent infection rates. Control of epidemic development was achieved using 20–80% of the recommended application rates of mancozeb on plots of cvs Brodick. Cara and Torridon compared with full application rates on cv. Maris Piper.     

Correlation between resistance to late blight in foliage and tubers in potato clones from parents of contrasting resistance

Summary The relationship between resistance to late blight in foliage and tuber was examined on 50 clones of each of five progenies from crosses where one parent was resistant in both foliage and tuber and the other susceptible. Foliage resistance was assessed in a field trial and tuber resistance in a laboratory test on glasshouse-grown tubers. The genetical and environmental components of variance and the phenotypic and genetical correlations between foliage and tuber blight scores were determined for each progeny. Foliage and tuber resistance were correlated, indicating either that both are determined by the same genes or by different linked genes. The environmental component of variation was greater for tuber blight than foliage blight. We suggest that the most effective way of selecting for resistance to both aspects of the disease in a breeding programme is to select those resistant in the foliage and then screen them for tuber resistance.     

Assessing progenies of potato for resistance to skin spot (Polyscytalum pustulans) in the glasshouse

Summary Crosses were made between six parents differing in susceptibility to skin spot and glasshouse-grown tubers from true seedlings of the nine resulting progenies assessed for resistance to the disease. The assessment was evaluated by a two-year comparison with the behaviour of field-grown tubers of the progenies and their parents. The correlations between progenies in the glasshouse and field were r=0.911 and 0.753 and those between the mid-parental values and the progeny means were high (r>0.864), indicating that parental differences were heritable. It is concluded that correlations were sufficient for glasshouse-grown tubers to be used for assessing large numbers of progenies in genetical studies and for eliminating highly susceptible progenies at an early stage in a breeding programme. R.L. Wastie died 16.01.96.     

Sporulation ofPhytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary on the surface of diseased potatoes and tuber to tuber spread of infection during handling

Summary Laboratory experiments and observations in commercial stores showed that viable sporangia ofPhytophthora infestans can be produced on infected potato tubers of different cultivars. Infection was also found to spread from diseased to healthy tubers during handling.     

Assessing potato cultivars in Tunisia for susceptibility to leak caused byPythium aphanidermatum

Summary The susceptibility of 21 potato cultivars to leak (watery wound rot) caused byPythium aphanidermatum was compared. Whole tubers were inoculated after wounding by dipping into a water suspension of 10³ oospores/ml and incubated for 3 days at 25°C. The mean penetration of tissue calculated from the recording of lesion width and depth and the qualitative assessment of rot extension were highly correlated. For 10 of 12 cultivars tested at least twice, consistent reactions were obtained: cvs Korrigane. Superstar, Safrane and Yesmina were moderately susceptible, whereas Atlas, Diamant, Mondial, Obélix, Spunta and Timate were susceptible to highly susceptible. Tubers originated from two locations and/or two cropping seasons: thus, the performance of these cultivars under different production conditions reveals a satisfactory level of agreement with the test. Moreover, ratings assigned are supported by field or store observations.     

Verification of sap flow by heat balance method on three potato cultivars

Summary A heat balance method for measuring sap flow in actively growing plants was tested on three potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars Monona, Norchip and Atlantic. The method is based on applying a known heat source to the stem of an intact plant: by measuring the axial and radial heat dissipation the magnitude of sap flow can be quantified. The technique shows promise as 24 h accumulated sap flow measurements were highly correlated (r²=0.935, n=36) with gravimetric measurements of transpiration and produced an average root mean square error (RMSE) of 20 g d⁻¹. The accuracy of the method improved as daily accumulated flow increased. Under low daily flow rates overall RMSE increased, supporting the need for a heat storage term in the heat balance equation. Short term flow rates were less significantly correlated (r²=0.764, n=1572) and produced an average RMSE of 2.89 g h⁻¹. Identification of these short term flow rates during high flow periods may be difficult. The presence of water potential gradients and the likelihood of re-hydration during high flow events may have also affected the short term performance of the method. At low flow rates, many different errors may be introduced.