AC Ptarmigan: An early maturing potato cultivar with good chipping and fresh market quality

AC Ptarmigan is an early maturing, buff skin, cream flesh potato cultivar which has good, stable chip quality and can be processed directly from the field. The cultivar has uniform attractive tubers with shallow eyes. It is moderately resistant to common scab, early blight, potato virus Y and potato leafroll virus. It is susceptible to late blight and shows clear field symptoms when infected with bacterial ring rot.     

Use of the virus strain group concept to characterize the resistance to PVX and PVYo in the potato cv Allegany

Resistance to the potato viruses X (PVX), Y (PVY) and A (PVA) was examined in the potato cv Allegany released by Cornell University in 1990. Standard potato cultivars from North America and Europe were included for characterization of the resistance response. Allegany was extremely resistant to a strain group 3 isolate of PVX and reacted with hypersensitivity to an ordinary strain isolate of PVY (PVY^o). However, Allegany was susceptible to an isolate of PVY causing necrosis in tobacco (PVY^N), and to an isolate of PVA. No symptoms appeared following infection with PVY^N and PVA. Identification of existing virus strain groups in a geographic area is an important aspect of predicting cultivar response to inoculation in the field.     

Extreme resistance to infection by potato virus Y and potato virus X in an advanced hybridSolanum phureja — S. Stenotomum diploid potato population

Samples of 4285 individuals from a hybridSolanum phureja Juz. et Buk. —S. stenotomum Juz. (Phu-Stn) and 105 individuals ofSolanum phureja (Phu) diploid potato populations were twice inoculated with potato virus Y strain “o” (PVY°) using the air brush technique. After discarding seedlings with PVY visual symptoms both in the greenhouse and in the field, 1508 seedlings were judged to be resistant to PVY° (35.2%). Only 5.7% of the Phu seedlings were PVY° resistant compared to 35.2% of the Phu-Stn seedlings. At harvest, a mild selection pressure for yield and tuber appearance was applied and 602 Phu-Stn clones were chosen for further evaluation. Selected clones were re-evaluated for PVY° resistance in the greenhouse. Clones were mechanically inoculated twice with PVY°. Clones susceptible to PVY° were determined by visual observations, ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests, grafting of tobacco PVY° infected shoots on potato clones, and infectivity tests usingNicotiana tabacum as a PVY° plant indicator. In the process, 224 clones were found to be extreme resistant to infection by PVY°, with an overall frequency for PVY° extreme resistance of 5.2%. In another experiment, the first year Phu-Stn PVY° resistant clones (554 clones) were mechanically inoculated twice with “common” strain of potato virus X (PVX). Similarly, we discarded clones susceptible to PVX by combining visual evaluation and ELISA with PVX re-inoculation of negative clones and an infectivity test, usingGomphrena globosa as a PVX plant indicator. After this process, seven extreme resistant and eight resistant clones to infection by PVX were found; the overall frequency of PVX extreme resistance was 1.3%. Five clones were extreme resistant to both PVY° and PVX.     

Comparison of the effectiveness of different methods of screening for bacterial soft rot resistance of potato tubers

Tubers from eight potato cultivars (cvs) grown at two different locations in Wisconsin were tested for bacterial soft rot resistance using different inoculation techniques. The procedures included 1) point inoculations of tubers with different inoculum levels followed by incubation in ambient or low oxygen condtions, 2) inoculation of mechanically bruised tubers followed by incubation in a mist chamber, and 3) a standard slice inoculation method. The point titration test followed by incubation in dew chamber and the mist chamber-bruise test showed similar patterns of resistance for cultivars that were used in these experiments. These two methods are considered to be effective for screening potato tubers for bacterial soft rot resistance. Point titration methods are very useful if only limited numbers of tubers are available. The mist chamber-bruise test is simpler than the other procedures; however, to obtain reproducible results large numbers of tubers are required. Because of the great variability of the results obtained in inoculation of slices, the reliability of this approach can be questioned as a standardized method for evaluation of resistance. Tubers of somatic hybrids ofS. brevidens andS. tuberosum and their sexual progeny were significantly more resistant to bacterial soft rot than tubers of moderately resistant cultivars when evaluated by each of the assay procedures.     

Survival ofHelminthosporium solani in soil andin vitro colonization of senescent plant tissue

Silver scurf, caused byHelminthosporium solani, is considered to be a tuberborne disease of potato. The ability ofH. solani to overwinter in soil was evaluated in field studies at two locations in New York during 1992. Field plots were established at sites whereH. solani infected potatoes had been produced in 1991. Plants produced from pathogen-free tubers of four cultivars yielded tubers infected with silver scurf at both locations. Up to 61% of tubers were infected in some plots. The ability ofH. solani to colonize leaf tissue was evaluated inin vitro assays. Detached leaves of ten crops were sprayed with a spore suspension ofH. solani and incubated for 20 days.H. solani colonized and sporulated on senescent leaf tissue of alfalfa, sorghum, rye, oats, corn and wheat, and only colonized senescent tissue of rapeseed, red clover and buckwheat. No growth was observed on potato leaf tissue. These results indicate that soil survival and saprophytic ability may be important in the epidemiology of silver scurf of potato.     

Elimination of viruses and hypersensitivity to potato virus Y (PVYo) in an important sudanese potato stock (Zalinge)

Viruses that infect naturally an important Sudanese potato stock Zalinge were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunosorbent electron microscopy and sap-inoculation to test plants. All of the 19 plants of Zalinge tested were infected with potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) and potato virus S (P VS), and five plants also with potato virus X (PVX). No potato virus Y (PVY), A (PVA) nor M (PVM) were found. The viruses were eradicated with thermo and chemotherapy using standard procedures. The combination of both therapies did not result in any virus-free plants, but resulted in poor plant survival. Thermotherapy reduced the incidence of PLRV and PVS by 45% and 50%, respectively, and one virus-free plant was obtained. It grew vigorously in the greenhouse, was symptomless and had a significantly increased tuber yield compared to the virus-infected plants. Following sap-inoculation with PVY^O, Zalinge showed mosaic symptoms, developed necrosis in the leaves and stem and died 14 days post-inoculation. However, the plants of Zalinge infected with PVY^N remained symptomless, which suggested that hypersensitivity was specific to PVY^O. The fast development of lethal necrosis following infection with PVY^O may contribute to the low incidence of PVY in Zalinge in the field in Sudan.     

Solanum microdontum (PI 558098): A diagnostic host plant for potato virus A

Solanum microdontum (PI 558098) develops diagnostic symptoms when inoculated with plant sap containing potato virus A (PVA). The symptoms consist of local lesions (2–4 mm), followed by systemic necrosis of leaf veins, bronzing of leaf surface, and leaf drop. Symptoms develop in a temperature range of 20–29 C with 4 to 8 Klux light intensity of 14 h daylength. Local lesions are visible within 1 wk of inoculation and can be caused by PVA containing sap dilutions of up to 1:100. Plants multiplied by shoot cuttings as well as those produced from true potato seed are equally sensitive. True potato seed production occurs under normal greenhouse conditions in cross-pollinated plants.     

Solanum berthaultii Hawkes affects the digestive system,fat body and ovaries of the Colorado potato beetle

Ovarian development and fecundity of Colorado potato beetles reared on the resistant potato species,Solanum berthaultii were reduced compared to females reared on the susceptible potato,S. tuberosum. Striking changes in the appearance of the digestive tract and large quantities of undigested plant material in the midgut of females reared onS. berthaultii suggest that ovarian development might be impaired by poor nutritional quality ofS. berthaultii foliage. Alternatively, enlargement of the midgut by undigested plant material might physically limit ovarian development and subsequent fecundity. These results suggest that a major impact ofS. berthaultii on CPB performance occurs in the physiology of digestion and reproduction.     

Response ofColletotrichum coccodes to fungicidesin vitro

Black dot is an important disease of potato that affects all plant parts. The causal agent,Colletotrichum coccodes, is commonly found on potato tubers used for seed. Our objective was to determine thein vitro sensitivity ofC. coccodes to the fungicides maneb, thiabendazole, imazalil and CGA 173506, a phenylpyrrole. These fungicides are currently used, or are being tested for use, as potato seed treatments in the United States. All four fungicides reduced radial growth, sclerotial germination and spore germination ofC. coccodes at 10 μg/ml and higher. The fungicide concentrations that inhibited radial growth by 50% were 2 μg/ml, 5 μg/ml, 35 μg/ml, and 40 μg/ml for imazalil, CGA 173506, maneb and thiabendazole, respectively. TBZ was less inhibitory than the other three fungicides and stimulated sclerotial productionin vitro. Isolates ofC. coccodes differed in their sensitivity to maneb, thiabendazole and imazalil in radial growth, but not spore and sclerotial germination, assays. On CGA 173506, radial growth of fourC. coccodes isolates was inhibited, but these isolates produced sectors which grew normally. Germination of most sclerotia from these isolates was inhibited, but some germinated and produced normal colonies in the presence of CGA 173506. OneC. coccodes isolate was resistant to this fungicide in all assays.     

Identification of genetic factors influencing chip color in diploid potato (Solanum spp.)

A genetic map was constructed with a combination of isozymes, restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) to apply quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis to identify genetic factors that contribute to chip color in potato. The diploid population used was a cross between aSolanum tuberosum haploid andS. chacoense hybrid used as female parent and aS. phureja clone used as male. Chip color was determined visually on samples fried from tubers stored at 10C. On a scale of 1 (light color) to 10 (dark color), the population ranged from 2 to 8 while the parents average chip color was 3.5. Based upon one-way ANOVAs (P < 0.05), 13 genetic markers showed significant associations which represent a total of six QTLs. A multiple locus model based upon the markers that have the largest effect per QTL explained 43.5% of the phenotypic variation for chip color in the population and increased to 50.5% when one significant epistatic interaction was included in the model. All the significant marker associations were identifed in theS. tuberosum-S. chacoense hybrid. Through preliminary data, the results of this study suggest that additive effects contribute a significant portion of the genetic variation for chip color. The identification of these QTLs for chip color variation provides the means to apply marker-assisted selection to introgress these genes into the cultivated potato germplasm.     

Mainestay: A high-yielding, round white potato variety for fresh market

The Mainestay potato variety is high-yielding and late-maturing producing attractive, round, white-skinned, white-fleshed tubers with medium-shallow eyes. Its major use is expected to be as a maincrop tablestock variety. Mainestay appearance ratings are similar to those of Katahdin, and greening in Mainestay tubers is less than in Kennebec. Most boil and bake qualities were rated equal to Katahdin in at least half of the tests, and Mainestay usually has a low incidence of internal defects. However, purple streak, heat necrosis, vascular discoloration, and heat sprouts have been seen on occasion. Mainestay tubers do not show the net necrosis caused by potato leafroll virus, and have shown very little hollow heart or blackspot bruising. Mainestay is susceptible to common scab and acid scab, but moderately resistant to verticillium wilt (Verticillium, albo-atrum andV. dahliae), early blight (Alternaria solani), rhizoctonia (Rhizoctonia solani), dry rot (Fusarium sambucinum), and pink rot (Phytophthora erythroseptica). It is moderately susceptible to the common race of late blight (Phytophthora infestans). Mainestay tubers are slow to mature after vine kill, and additional time is required prior to harvest in order to allow for proper periderm development and to reduce storage losses.     

An approach to field screening potato genotypes for potato leaf roll virus resistance

Eight potato cultivars and two advanced breeder selections were assessed for field resistance to the potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) following field exposures in which PLRV-infected Russet Burbank plants were used as inoculum sources within treatments. This screening protocol provided consistent PLRV resistance ratings despite year-to-year variation in PLRV pressure. Secondary disease incidence based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of foliage from tuber progeny ranged from 0–87% in 1990 and 0–67% in 1991, and was consistent with reported PLRV resistance ratings for eight of ten genotypes. Agreement between visual assessment and ELISA on plants from harvested tubers was 94% in 1990 and 83% in 1991, for all genotypes. However, agreement data were inconsistent from year-to-year, with the exception of three genotypes. In both years, current season infection, based on ELISA of foliage, was detected in less than two percent of the plants and, was inadequate as a measure of secondary PLRV incidence. Green peach aphid (GPA) populations did not differ among genotypes at sampling times during the season, but the PLRV concentration in GPA colonizing Russet Burbank plots was significantly higher than in GPA colonizing any other genotype.     

Identification of parents suitable for molecular mapping of immunity and resistance genes in solanum species

A survey of DNA polymorphisms and bacterial ring rot reactions inSolanum species was conducted to identify parents that when crossed would produce an F₁ mapping population useful for identifying DNA markers tightly linked to genes for immunity or resistance to bacterial ring rot.Solanum tuberosum, S. acaule, diploidSolanum species, doubled monoploid lines ofS. phureja, and somatic fusion hybrids betweenS. tuberosum andS. brevidens were established in tissue culture from single true potato seeds or tubers and evaluated for bacterial ring rot reactions in greenhouse studies with root-inoculated tissue cultured plantlets. Establishment of tissue culture stocks insured the availability of homogeneous genetic material for use in bacterial ring rot assays and genetic analyses. Presence ofClavibacter michiganense subsp.sepedonicum was assessed in stems by an immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFAS). Two accessions were found to be immune to bacterial ring rot. DNA polymorphisms were detected within and among 24 accessions evaluated with 24 RFLP markers and 10 arbitrary oligonucleotide primers (RAPDs). These results identify parents suitable for future mapping of gene (s) for immunity or resistance to bacterial ring rot.     

Resistance to thiabendazole and thiophanate-methyl in canadian isolates ofFusarium sambucinum andHelminthosporium solani

Resistance to both thiabendazole (TBZ) and thiophanate-methyl (TPM) was observed in Canadian isolates ofFusarium sambucinum andHelminthosporium solani recovered from diseased potato tubers. Resistance was not found in isolates ofFusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium equiseti andFusarium solani. A high level of resistance to both TBZ (EC₅₀ 180 to ?500 mg/l) and TPM (EC₅₀ ?500 mg/l) was observed forH. solani isolates, whereasF. sambucinum exhibited a relatively low level of resistance to TBZ (EC₅₀ 34 to 71 mg/l) and a high level of resistance to TPM (growth uninhibited by 2,500 mg/l). The incidence ofF. sambucinum resistant to the benzimidazoles was lower (60%) than that observed forH. solani (95%)     

Effects of substituted nitroguanidine seed treatments on the potato variety Superior

In earlier reports, foliar applications of AC 243,654, a substituted benzyl nitroguanidine with cytokinin-like activity, increased yields of larger tubers and altered plant morphology of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) in greenhouse tests. AC 243,654 was applied as seed tuber treatments to the potato variety Superior. Applications were 0.2 to 10% active ingredient (ai) dusts and 0.04 to 5% ai dips. All seed treatments increased the number of sprouts per tuber. The higher concentrations of seed treatments decreased stem height, and increased stem/branch number, plant dry weight and the number of tubers. Dust and dip treatments of 0.2 and 1% increased the yield (11 to 33%) of tubers < 38 mm in greenhouse tests. Higher rates decreased yields. In field trials, dust applications of AC 243,654 and its analog AC 89,470, the unsubstituted benzyl nitroguanidine, at 0.1 and 0.4% ai increased total and US #1 (< 47 mm diameter) yields between 10 and 18%; and 8 to 18%, respectively. The high rate of 10% ai of either compound decreased yield. AC 239,604, a substituted phenyl nitroguanidine, as a 0.1 % ai dust increased yields 21% while higher rates decreased them. Based on combined greenhouse and field data, AC 243,654 dust applications > 2% ai increased yields while greater application rates decreased yields.     

Yield development in potatoes as influenced by cultivar and the timing and level of nitrogen fertilization

Path-coefficient analysis based on an ontogenetic model was used to study the relationships between tuber yield and yield components as influenced by cultivar and nitrogen fertilization. Four experiments were carried out from 1987 to 1989 in Granada, southern Spain. Two of these experiments used six potato cultivars with a single N rate, while the other two experiments used one cultivar and nine levels of N, split between planting and top-dressing. Variation in tuber yield between cultivars resulted mainly from differences in stem number per m² followed by tubers per stem and, to a lesser extent, average tuber weight. In N experiments, however, average tuber weight was the only yield component that showed a significant direct effect on yield, while the number of stems per m² and tubers per stem had negligible direct effects. In addition, the ontogenetic model used indicated compensatory mechanisms during the formation of the three yield components in the potato, which resulted stronger in the N experiments.     

Consecutive elisa screening with monoclonal antibodies to detect potato virus YN

In a 1992 survey of potato fields in Canada for the tobacco veinal necrosis strain of potato virus Y (PVY^N), initial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening with one monoclonal antibody (MAb 295.5) followed by a second ELISA screening with a panel of several MAbs (4E7, Bioreba, 1F5 and 295.5) was assessed as a means of rapidly identifying positive samples prior to confirmation by bioassay. MAbs 4E7 and Bioreba were used in double antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA, while MAbs 1F5 and 295.5 were used in triple antibody sandwich (TAS) ELISA. In the second ELISA, MAbs 4E7, 1F5 and Bioreba all enhanced test specificity relative to the retest with MAb 295.5. All the MAbs were found to react, to some degree, with isolates of the common strain of PVY (PVY^O), but MAb 4E7 was the most specific widi no cross-reaction being observed at, or above, the signal to noise (S:N) threshold of 4:1. However, this MAb was also the least sensitive. At the S:N threshold of 4:1, its sensitivity was 68%, compared to a sensitivity of close to 100% for the other MAbs     

Fungal pathogens andPratylenchus penetrans associated with preceding crops of clovers,winter wheat,and annual ryegrass and their influence on succeeding potato crops on Prince Edward Island

The incidence of soilborne fungal pathogens of potatoes and root lesion nematodes were determined in preceding crops of clovers, annual ryegrass, and winter wheat, in the succeeding potato crops and soils and severity of associated potato diseases recorded in two, 2-yr field trials. Differences were not evident in yearly recovery ofRhizoctonia solani, Verticil-Hum dahliae, V. alboatrum, andColletotrichum coccodes from previous crops and soils. However, overall trends were present with a higher recovery ofV. dahliae from wheat and a greater recovery ofR. solani from clover than either wheat or ryegrass. A previous crop of ryegrass resulted in lower levels ofR. solani in succeeding potato soils in both trials and after clover in one trial at the pre-harvest sampling time. In trial 1 greater numbers ofPratylenchus penetrans were recovered from clover soils than from soils of ryegrass or wheat. One instance of lower nematode recovery in potato soils following ryegrass occurred but no differences in their recovery from potato roots were observed. Potato wilt incidence was lowest after clovers. Stem rot severity was positively correlated with recovery ofR. solani andV. dahliae from potato stems and roots and negatively correlated withV. alboatrum from potato stems only. Nematode populations were not related to potato disease symptom severity ratings. Results reported herein indicate that only a portion of soilborne diseases of potatoes on Prince Edward Island may be related to previous crops produced in the 3-yr rotation selected for this study.     

Diploid potato germplasm derived from wild and land race genetic resources

Diploid cultivated species, haploids derived from tetraploid cultivars, and their wildSolanum relatives were used to generate various diploid potato genetic stocks. These stocks have significant value in potato breeding because: 1) genetic diversity in the potato population can be kept variable with the diploid germplasm which confers genetic variation from wild and cultivated species; 2) crossability of this diploid germplasm is facilitated by the function of 2n gametes; and 3) high levels of pest resistances originating from the process of introgression of the wild and cultivated genetic resources can be used to improve the tetraploid cultivated potato genepool.     

Eradication of potato wart disease from Maryland

Potato wart disease, caused bySynchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.) Perc., is a disease of quarantine significance due to the production of persistent resting spores and lack of effective chemical control measures. The disease was present in limited areas of Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia in 1918–1920 and was thought to have been eradicated by 1974. A recent survey in Maryland to verify eradication in that state had revealed the presence of resting spores of the fungus in one home garden in Allegany County. A subsequent delimiting soil sample survey was conducted in and around the old quarantine area in Allegany County. None of the soil samples from 176 home gardens surveyed were positive forS. endobioticum resting spores. Bioassays with susceptible potato cultivars were conducted for five consecutive years at the site from which spores had been recovered. During three of the five years, environmental conditions did not preclude development of disease, yet no symptoms were obtained. According to the USDA APHIS guidelines for eradication of potato wart disease, the spores at the Allegany County, Maryland site are declared nonviable and Maryland is considered to be free of the potato wart pathogen.