Effect of temperature and photoperiod on symptoms associated with resistance toPhytophthora infestans after leaf penetration in susceptible and resistant potato cultivars

The effect of temperature and photoperiod on the expression of resistance against Phytophthora infestans in five potato cultivars with and without resistance (R) genes was investigated. Four experiments were carried out under controlled conditions in growth chambers. Two cultivars (393295.236 and 391046.22) without known R genes from the International Potato Center (CIP) in Lima, Peru, two Mexican cultivars with major R genes (Tollocan and Malinche), and a susceptible cultivar (Atlantic) were used in this study. Plants were grown for 32 days in growth chambers at two temperatures (16 and 24 C) and two photoperiods (12 and 16 h day length), then inoculated with a compatible isolate of P. infestans and incubated in a mist chamber at 18 C. The inoculation efficiency, the percentage of lesions that did not grow beyond the inoculation spot, the sporangia density, and the AUDPC were recorded. The percentage of arrested lesions decreased with temperature in the two most resistant cultivars (393295.236 and Malinche), and the AUDPC was lower at 16 than at 24 C in four of the five cultivars. The inoculation efficiency and the sporangia density were not affected by change in temperature. Sporangia density increased at 16 h photoperiod; however, the final infected leaf area was not affected. Our results demonstrate that the expression of horizontal and vertical resistance was affected by temperature; however, the relative resistance ranking among cultivars was the same in the four experiments with different temperatures and photoperiods. It is assumed that the resistance in the Mexican cultivars may be conferred by minor resistance genes and by the residual effect of defeated R genes. These results emphasize the difficulty in differentiating between horizontal and vertical resistance.     

Effect of rain on efficacy of fungicide deposits on potato againstPhytophthora infestans

Summary The influence of the intensity of rain and the interval between application of fungicides and the onset of rain on the efficacy of maneb-fentinacetate and fluazinam againstPhytophthora infestans in potato was evaluated in pot trials and field trials. In the pot trials a clear wash-off of maneb-fentinacetate was observed when simulated rain was applied 4 hours after plants had been sprayed with the fungicide. The retention of fluazinam deposits was higher and in some trials the efficacy in the bioassay was even increased by rain, probably by redistribution from the spray deposits. When 10 mm of simulated rain was applied 4–6 days after application of the fungicides, no decrease in the efficacy was observed with both fungicides. In the field trials fluazinam also showed a better retention of deposits compared with maneb-fentinacetate.     

Progeny testing for resistance to potato virus Y: a comparison of susceptible potato cultivars for use in testcrosses with resistant parents

Summary For potato breeding or genetical research purposes, the number of copies of a dominant major gene for resistance to potato virus Y in a parent clone can be determined by test-crossing with a susceptible parent and observing the segregation ratio of resistant to susceptible seedlings in the progeny. In a comparison of different susceptible cultivars for use in test-crosses for this purpose, their progenies differed in the clarity of symptoms and parental phenotype proved an unreliable guide. Cvs Maris Piper, Arran Peak and Dr MacIntosh were found to be suitable tester parents, Pentland Squire less so and cv. Désirée was confirmed as having a major gene conferring incomplete resistance. It was found advisable to test-cross with more than one susceptible parent.     

Effect of infection byPhytophthora infestans on phenolics in potato tubers with various degrees of field resistance

Summary Browning of potato tubers infected withPhytophthora infestans was correlated with field resistance. The composition of brown material extracted from tubers was investigated by preparing alkaline-neutral difference spectra, which were similar to those obtained from a model system of tuber cell walls incubated with ferulic or p-coumaric acids and H₂O₂. The activities of L-phenylalanine ammonia lyase, peroxidase and phenolase in wounded tissue were correlated with resistance. After infection, peroxidase and phenolase activities were reduced, the greatest reduction being in the most resistant variety. The relation between field resistance and wounding is discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Vergleich von drei Kartoffelsorten unterschiedlicher unspezifischer Resistenz (Feldresistenz) gegenPhytophthora infestans zeigte, dass eine zunehmende Resistenz positiv korreliert war mit einer verst?rkten Br?unung des Knollengewebes nach der Infektion. Der Grad der Eindringung des Pilzmyzels war mit der Resistenz negativ korreliert und die Suberinisierung der Schnittfl?che vor der Inokulation erh?hte die Resistenz gegen die Eindringung (Abb. 1). Aus dem infizierten Gewebe wurde mit Phenol-Essigs?ure-Wasser (PAW) mehr braunes Material und von dunklerer Farbe herausgel?st als aus dem nicht infizierten Gewebe. Die Substanz enthielt Chlorogens?ure oder andere Chinas?ureester (Tab. 1). Die Differenz-Spektren der Phenol-Essigs?ure-Wasser-Extrakte im alkalischen bzw. neutralen Bereich von infiziertem und nicht infiziertem Gewebe waren unterschiedlich, was auf Unterschiede in dem phenolischen Material, das in die Zellw?nde eingelagert wurde, hinwies (Abb. 3). Die Spektren waren ?hnlich denen, die mit einem Modellsystem aus Knollenzellw?nden mit zugesetzter Ferula-oder p-Cumars?ure und H₂O₂ erzielt wurden (Abb. 4). Im verletzten Gewebe waren die Aktivit?ten der Enzyme L-Phenylalaninammoniumlyase, Peroxidase und Phenolase mit der Sortenresistenz korreliert (Tab. 3–5). Nach der Infektion waren die Aktivit?ten der Phenolase und der Peroxidase vérringert und die Abnahme war mit der Resistenz korrliert. Die Auspr?gung der unspezifischen Resistenz in Knollen scheint auf zwei Faktoren zu beruhen: der F?higkeit des Gewebes nach der Verletzung Suberin zu bilden, um das Eindringen des Erregers zu hemmen und der Produktion von zus?tzlichen braunen Phenolverbindungen, die in die Wirtszellw?nde eingelagert werden und dadurch deren Struktur so ver?ndern, dass eine Eindringung des Pilzes begrenzt wird.

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Résumé Une étude portant sur trois variétés de pomme de terre présentant une différence de résistance au champ vis à vis dePhytophtora infestans montre qu'une augmentation de résistance est corrélée positivement à un brunissement croissant des tissus du tubercule après contamination. Le taux de pénétration du mycélium est corrélé négativement à la résistance; la subérisation de la surface coupée avant contamination augmente la résistance à la pénétration (fig. 1). La substance obtenue par extraction dans un mélange phénol-acide acétique-eau est plus brunatre et de couleur plus sombre lorsque le tissu est contaminè par rapport à un tissu non contaminé. L'extrait contient de l'acide chlorogénique ou d'autres esters d'acide quinique (tableau 1). Les spectres obtenus à partir d'extraits du mélange phénol-acide acétique-eau dans les phases alcanine et neutre sont différents entre des tissus contaminés et non-contaminés; ceci indique un changement dans la nature de la substance phénolique déposée dans les parois cellulaires de tubercule avec adjonction d'acides férulique ou p-coumarique et d'H₂O₂ (fig. 4). Les activités d'enzymes L-phenylalanine ammonialyase, peroxidase et phénolase (tableaux 3–5) sont corrélés, pour des tissus endommagés, à la résistance variétale. Après contamination, les activités phénolase et péroxidase sont réduites, la diminution étant liée à la résistance. L'expression de la résistance au champ au niveau des tubercules semble reposer sur deux facteurs: la capacité du tissu à produire la subérine après endommagement afin d'inhiber la pénétration du pathogène et la production de composés phénoliques bruns après contamination, qui se déposent dans les parois cellulaires réceptrices, modifiant ainsi leur structure de fa?on à limiter la pénétration du champignon.

     

Enzymatic discoloration and phenolic content of potato tubers from cultivars resistant and susceptible to the golden nematode

Phenolic content and discoloration were determined for 13 commercial potato cultivars and 6 potato clones grown at 2 locations over a period of 5 successive years. Tubers from 6 potato cultivars and 5 potato clones resistant to the golden nematode were compared with tubers from 7 potato cultivars and 1 clone known to be susceptible to the golden nematode. Tubers from resistant plants were lower in phenols and discolored less than tubers from susceptible plants.     

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.     

Effect of plant age on potato leafhopper infestation of resistant and susceptible potato clones

The effect of age of resistant potato clones,Solarium tuberosum gp.tuberosum, on infestation by potato leafhopper,Empoasca fabae (Harris), was investigated by varying the date of planting in a naturally infested fieldtest Significant differences (P < .05) in infestation levels were found among clones and among dates of planting. The responses of resistant and susceptible clones to infestation differed with date of planting. But lower levels of infestation occurred on all clones in the first 2–3 weeks of leafhopper migration on the early plantings, indicating that plant age in potatoes is a factor in host preference of potato leafhopper     

Production of phytoalexins, glycoalkaloids and phenolics in leaves and tubers of potato cultivars with different degrees of field resistance after infection withPhytophthora infestans

Summary The kinetics of accumulation of phytoalexins, glycoalkaloids and phenolics was studied in two potato cultivars differing in their degrees of field resistance when infected withPhytophthora infestans. Tuber slices and leaves of cvs Pampeana INTA (high degree of field resistance, free of R genes) and Bintje (susceptible) were infected with race C (complex race 1, 3, 5, 7, 11) ofPhytophthora infestans. Phytoalexins and phenolics accumulated in tuber and leaf tissues which had been inoculated. The levels of these compounds in the susceptible cv. Bintje were relatively low and similar to those found before inoculation. Leaves of cv. Pampeana INTA had a very high glycoalkaloid content, suggesting that glycoalkaloids may play a role in protection of leaves against the fungus. However, we could find no correlation between resistance and glycoalkaloid content of tubers. Our results suggest a major role of phytoalexins, phenolics and glycoalkaloids in the complex mechanisms of field resistance.     

Alternative treatments for late blight control in organic potato: Antagonistic micro-organisms and compost extracts for activity againstPhytophthora infestans

Summary The effects of various fungi, bacteria and different compost extracts on foliar infection of potato (Solatium tuberosum) withPhytophthora infestans were tested in detached leaf bioassays in 2001–2003. Application of microorganism inocula and compost extracts as well as copper oxychloride to excised leaves resulted in different degrees of blight control. In general, suppression of blight lesion growth was not improved by applying the antagonists before the leaves were inoculated withPhytophthora spores. There was some evidence that extracts made from different compost feed stocks of different ages suppressed leaflet infection with blight. However, results were very limited and inconsistent. Moreover, the effects were much smaller than where copper oxychloride was used. Improved efficacy of acceptable alternatives to copper fungicides especially in organic farming is required. No promising effective alternative to the use of copper fungicides to reduce late blight infection in organic potato production systems was identified in the experiments.     

Insecticide toxicity to three strains of green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) reared on resistant and susceptible potato cultivars

Three green peach aphid (GPA) strains, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) obtained from New York, Puerto Rico and Minnesota, were reared on resistant potato hybrid D888-4 and a susceptible cv. Red Pontiac. No significant differences in GPA mortality were observed when aphids were reared on either the resistant or susceptible potato cultivars and later exposed to methamidophos 4EC, pirimicarb 50 WP, azinphos-methyl 2EC or permethrin 2EC. The interaction between the four insecticides × three GPA strains was significant. Of the three aphid strains, those from Minnesota had the lowest susceptibility to permethrin, pirimicarb and azinophos-methyl. No mortality was observed in this GPA strain when tested with azinphosmethyl.     

The involvement of phenolics and phytoalexins in resistance of potato to soft rot

Summary Phenolics, for example chlorogenic, caffeic and ferulic acid, and phytoalexins, such as rishitin and phytuberin, were identified in potato tubers cv. Kufri Chandramukhi. The tissue of healthy tubers contained no detectable phytoalexins but did contain phenolics. The levels of these compounds were correlated with soft rot development. The rotting tissue either was free of these groups of compounds or had low concentrations. The wound periderm formed as a result of recovery from injury and infection contained high levels of the compounds. Much higher concentrations were detected at lower storage temperatures when oxygen supply was adequate. Antibacterial properties of the phenolics identified were tested againstErwinia carotovora which was inhibited by chlorogenic, caffeic and ferulic acids. The three phenolics were more effective together, in proportions in which they occurred in wound periderm, than individually. It was observed that none of these phenolics could inhibit pectolytic enzymes ofE. carotovora.     

The development of mature plant resistance in four potato cultivars against aphid-inoculated potato virus YO and YN in four potato cultivars

Summary Field-grown potato plants of cvs King Edward, Record, Maris Piper and Désirée were inoculated on seven different dates during the growing season of 1987 and 1988 with either potato virus Y^O (PVY^O) or PVY^N, using three viruliferous peach-potato aphids (Myzus persicae) per plant. In each cultivar, the proportion of progeny tubers infected with PVY^O or PVY^N was high in plants inoculated during the four weeks following emergence, the proportion declining to zero or close to zero in the subsequent 4–6 wks.     

Effects of photoperiod,night temperature,and irradiance on flower production in the potato

Summary The influence of three environmental factors on the incidence of arrested floral development (bud abortion) in different potato clones was studied. The first experiment measured flower production in growth chambers when a 12-h photoperiod was extended by 4 h dim light. The second experiment, also in growth chambers, contrasted flower production under night temperatures of 10°C and 20°C (day temperature 30°C, photoperiod 12 h). A third experiment examined bud abortion in plants grown in the greenhouse under shade cloths which reduced incoming irradiance to ca. 50% of normal. Both the longer photoperiod and warmer night temperature promoted flower production, in some of the clones tested, by reducing bud abortion. Reduced irradiance completely suppressed flower development (but not bud formation) in all clones. In all experiments, the number of flowers developing to anthesis was significantly correlated with shoot dry weight, indicating that treatments which promote shoot growth reduce the incidence of bud abortion. Paper No. 854, Department of Vegetable Crops, Cornell University.     

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     

Evaluation of various potato cultivars for resistance to wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Fifty potato cultivars, 11 early-maturing, 11 mid-maturing and 28 late-maturing cultivars, were evaluated in the field for resistance to wireworms, using the equation injury rate (%) = (No. of damaged tubers/No. of total tubers) × 100. In preliminary field tests, four wireworm species were found in the experimental site:Selatosomus puncticollis (Motschulsky),Melanotus legatus Gandéze, Agrypnus argillaceus (Solsky), andA. binodulus coreanus Kishii. Larvae ofS. puncticollis were dominant (over 95% occurrence). Significant differences for resistance were observed among the 50 cultivars. Of 11 early-maturing cultivars, high levels of resistance to wireworms were obtained from cvs Anco and Irish Cobbler. Among the 11 mid-maturing cultivars, the American cultivar Alamo and the Japanese cultivar Shinyuseo exhibited high resistance to wireworms. Of 28 late-maturing cultivars, cvs Whitu, Sieglinde, Spunta, and Some Miore were very resistant to wireworms, whereas high levels of resistance were observed in the cvs Cardinal, Norin No. 2, Ojiro and Rosa. These resistant cultivars should be useful in future breeding programs.     

Testing the resistance to silver scurf in commercial potato cultivars under controlled environmental conditions

Summary Optimum storage conditions to identify resistance to silver scurf among commercially grown potato cultivars were determined in a series of experiments. Inoculation of field-grown tubers with a conidial suspension ofH. solani (concentration 10⁴ conidia per ml of water) and incubation at 15°C with 95% RH for 1 month followed by 2 months at 85% RH produced the greatest differences in disease severity between potato cultivars. Results with glasshouse-grown tubers were comparable with those from field-grown tubers, indicating that the test could be used to identify resistance in wild species of potato and to understand the inheritance of this resistance.