Inoculum potential of verticillium—infested potato cultivars

Viable propagules ofVerticillium albo-atrum andV. dahliae were recovered from potato stems before and after burial in the field during 1968–1971. Of 14 cultivars tested: Red Pontiac and Superior ranked highest in numbers of propagules ofV. albo-atrum. Russet Burbank, Kennebec, and Irish Cobbler ranked highest withV. dahliae, respectively. Survival ofV. albo-atrum in infected stems was evident (5 ? 34 × 10³ ppg) even after burial in field soil for 17 months. In general, survival ofV. albo-atrum (47–69%) was higher thanV. dahliae (23 – 61%) following field burial of infected stems for 7 months.     

Pratylenchus spp. andVerticillium spp. in New Brunswick potato fields

A survey of New Brunswick potato fields with symptoms of early dying was conducted in September 1990 and 1991. Root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) were detected in 43 of 46 fields in 1990 and in 37 of 43 fields in 1991. In 1990 and 1991 populations averaged 910 and 410 nematodes g-¹ dry root and 1030 and 720 nematodes kg¹ dry soil, respectively. Previous crops did not affect nematode populations, except in one comparison where the number of nematodes in potato roots in 1990 was higher when the previous crop was cereal than in 1991 when the previous crop was peas.Pratylenchus crenatus was more prevalent thanP. penetrans. Root-knot nematodes(Meloidogyne hapla) were detected at a few sites at low population levels only in 1991. In 1991,Verticillium albo-atrum was detected in all 37 potato fields where fungal analyses were conducted, and the average population was 350 propagules g¹ dry soil. Soil populations ofV. alboatrum did not differ in fields in which either Russet Burbank or Shepody were being grown, nor did previous crops have any effect.Verticillium dahliae was detected in 17 fields at very low populations, usually below 1 propagule g¹ dry soil. There were no significant correlations (P<0.05) between populations of P.crenatus orP. penetrans in soil or roots and populations ofV. albo-atrum orV. dahliae propagules in soil.     

Potato production and incidence ofVerticillium dahliae following rotation to nonhost crops and soil fumigation in the state of Washington

For three years, potato yields, tuber quality, and incidence ofVerticillium dahliae were measured in field plots previously cropped for one year to the following nonhosts: sudan grass, green peas followed by sudan grass (same year), spring wheat, spring wheat followed by sudan grass (same year), sweet corn and field corn. One year rotation to nonhosts did not reduce the population ofV. dahliae propagules in the soil and in only one of the three years wereV. dahliae propagule numbers in potato stems significantly reduced in plots following nonhost crops, compared with plots following potatoes. Verticillium wilt symptoms in potatoes were not reduced by one year rotation to any of these crops and only in one year in three was yield significantly increased. In two of three years, percent U.S. No. 1 tubers was increased following one-year rotation with green peas plus sudan grass, and in one of the two years, specific gravity was increased by rotation. Rotational cropping to nonhosts for two years between potatoes significantly reduced preplant soil populations ofV. dahliae propagules in the soil and in potato stems the following fall. However, soil populations in these two year rotational plots the spring following potato were not reduced compared to plots previously cropped to potatoes two consecutive years. Cropping to nonhosts for two years had no consistent effect on incidence of Verticillium wilt in subsequent potato crops. Two years’ rotation to nonhosts increased plant height and yield compared to continuous cropping to potato but not percent U.S. No. 1 tubers. The various nonhost crops all had about the same non-significant effect on yield. In two out of three years’ trials, fumigation significantly reduced both the incidence of Verticillium wilt and number ofV. dahliae propagules in stems in plots compared to plots non-fumigated. In only one trial, fumigation significantly increased tuber yields and percent U.S. No. 1 tubers.     

The host range ofSpongospora subterranea f. sp.subterranea in the United States

This study was performed to determine the host range ofSpongospora subterranea f. sp.subterranea on common crops and weeds in the northeastern United States. Seedlings of the plants were grown in nutrient solutions and inoculated with spore balls ofS. subterranea. The roots were microscopically examined for the presence of plasmodia or zoosporangia 14 days after inoculation. The plants were then transferred to a greenhouse and grown in a soilless mix. The roots were examined for the presence of symptoms and spore balls after 4 months. Of 26 species within 10 families from monocotyledons and dicotyledons tested, 16 species were found to be susceptible toS. subterranea. Twelve species were newly recorded hosts forS. subterranea. Gall symptoms were observed on the roots of six species and spore balls were found on three species. Evidence is presented for the first time that galls and spore balls ofS. subterranea might form on non-Solanaceous species. This investigation is important for the cultural management of potato powdery scab disease because there currently are no effective controls.     

Study on antagonistic effects of Talaromyces flavus on Verticillium albo-atrum, the causal agent of potato wilt disease

Talaromyces flavus a fungal antagonist, was isolated from soil samples collected from potato fields in Varamin and Karaj districts, Tehran province, Iran. Antagonistic effects of T. flavus isolates against Verticillium albo-atrum, the causal agent of potato wilt disease were investigated in the laboratory and greenhouse conditions. T. flavus colonies were recovered after three weeks from soil samples cultured on selective medium. Antagonistic effects of volatile and non-volatile extracts of T. flavus isolates on V. albo-atrum growth were investigated in the laboratory and five that caused higher growth inhibition of V. albo-atrum, were selected for greenhouse experiments. Infection index was compared in the greenhouse in a split plot trial with five isolates applied to soil, seed, or both arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The minimum infection index was observed when seed were treated with T. flavus with the most effective isolate being Tf-Po-V-52. On seed, the minimum infection index was observed with Tf-Po-V-50. The most effective T. flavus isolate was also evaluated in a field experiment. Results indicated that infection index in seed treatment contained this isolate was 0.15 whereas that of control was 3.5. The overall results of this study showed that it may be possible to manage potato Verticillium wilt disease effectively by using T. flavus, a biocontrol fungus.     

Management of nitrogen and phosphorus rates does not suppress verticillium wilt in yukon gold

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization rates on the incidence of Verticillium wilt caused byVerticillium albo-atrum orV. dahliae and tuber yield in potato cv Yukon Gold was evaluated in field plots. In three years of study,V. albo-atrum caused a higher incidence of wilt symptoms (74%–100%) thanV. dahliae (5%–81%) resulting in lower marketable tuber yield. In plots infested withV. albo-atrum, tuber yield ranged from 12.3-22.8 T ha1 compared to 18.1– 31.5 T ha^-1 in plots infested withV. dahliae. Application of nitrogen above (280 kg ha^-1) or below (70 kg ha^-1) the recommended rate of 140 kg ha^-1 at planting did not suppress foliar symptoms or protect against yield loss caused by eitherV. albo-atrum orV. dahliae. Similarly, phosphorus rate adjustments did not consistently affect disease incidence regardless of the pathogen. Management of nitrogen or phosphorus fertility rates at planting does not appear to be a viable approach for suppressing Verticillium wilt in the determinant, wiltsusceptible cultivar Yukon Gold.     

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.     

Verticillium albo-atrum carried by certified seed potatoes into Washington and control by chemicals

Fifty-one percent of 110 lots of certified seed potatoes from 10 states and Canada sampled in 1968 and 30% of 134 lots from nine states and Canada sampled in 1969 were infected withVerticillium albo-atrum. Fortyone percent of the 1968 lots and 13% of the 1969 lots carried soil infested with the fungus on tuber surfaces. The dark mycelial type ofV. albo-atrum was found infecting tubers more often than the microsclerotial type, however, high propapgule populations of the microsclerotial type were present on tuber surfaces in the soil of infested lots. Over 24% of the isolates ofV. albo-atrum infecting and infesting tubers from lots of seed potatoes were pathogenic to eggplant var. Black Beauty. Captan^®, household bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite), Polyram^®, Orthocide^®, and Semesan Bel^®, were effective in preventing germination of the fungus in small amounts of soil such as might be carried by infested tubers. Liquid treatments were more effective than dusts.     

Association of viral,bacterial and fungal pathogens with vascular discoloration of Russet Burbank potato tubers

Russet Burbank potatoes from the 1979 and 1980 crop years, collected from Chicago, IL repack warehouses and retail markets, were sampled for vascular discoloration. The amount of discoloration varied among sampling months and states of origin and decreased from 7.7% in 1979 to 1.6% in 1980. Highest levels of vascular discoloration were detected in December and January samples. Vascular discolored and non-discolored (control) tubers were assayed for the presence of potato leafroll, potato virus X, and beet western yellows viruses by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Tubers were also assayed for 2 subspecies ofErwinia carotovora and forVerticillium albo-atrum andV. dahliae. Potato leafroll virus was detected in 31 of 831 vascular discolored tubers.V. albo-atrum was detected in 1 of 180 discolored tubers. Beet western yellows virus was not detected in discolored or non-discolored tubers. Two subspecies ofE. carotovora and potato virus X were equally common in discolored and non-discolored tubers.     

Consequence of planting Norgold Russet seed infected withVerticillium albo-atrum

Norgold Russet seed internally infected withVerticillium albo-atrum and free of external tuber-borne inoculum was planted inVerticillium-infested and noninfested soils to determine if intratuber infection affected production of this very susceptible variety. It had no effect on emergence, growth rate, size of plants, appearance and severity ofVerticillium-wilt symptoms, total yield, percent U.S. No. 1 tubers, or specific gravity.     

Status of weeds as reservoirs of plant parasitic nematodes in banana fields in Martinique

During a survey of the nematodes associated with weeds in banana fields in Martinique, 41 weed species in 37 genera from 20 plant families were collected to extract nematodes from the roots. Results of this survey showed that 24 weed species were hosts of Radopholus similis, 23 were hosts of Helicotylenchus spp., 13 were hosts of Pratylenchus spp., 13 were hosts of Hoplolaimus seinhorsti, 29 were hosts of Meloidogyne spp. and 24 were hosts of Rotylenchulus reniformis. The presence of the burrowing nematode was more consistently found within three families, the Euphorbiaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae. In some weed species such as Caladium bicolor, Commelina diffusa, Echinochloa colona and Phenax sonneratii, the levels of nematodes recovered were similar to, or greater than the numbers recovered from Musa roots. These results clearly show that certain weeds can be significant reservoirs of plant parasitic nematodes including R. similis in banana fields. This information is crucial in devising appropriate nematode control measures for use with rotation crops or fallow before re-planting banana fields with nematode free planting material.     

Influence of tillage and method of metam sodium application on distribution and survival ofVerticillium dahliae in the soil and the development of verticillium wilt of potato

The effect of plowing and deep-rip tillage, in combination with chemigation or shank injection of metam sodium, onVerticillium dahliae populations and disease development was assessed in two fields with differing soil types and potato rotations. Soil samples were collected on a geo-referenced basis at depths of 0 to 10 cm and 10 to 20 cm before tillage, after tillage, after chemical application, and before planting and assayed for the presence of the pathogen. Propagules ofV. dahliae were detected at 140 of 141 sites sampled prior to tillage. Most (74.4% in heavy, sandy loam; 63.1% in light, loamy sand) were concentrated in upper 10 cm of the soil profile. Plowing redistributed inoculum vertically while deep-rip tillage did not. In the non-chemical treated areas of both fields, theVerticillium population reached a maximum between 25 July and 8 August before declining to near pre-tillage levels. Overall, the population generally was lower in the field with heavy soil, higher organic matter content, and a 3-year crop rotation. Metam sodium appeared to be most effective when shank injected, as the levels of inoculum in both fields declined by 60% to 80% following this application method. Chemigation was ineffective in the lighter soil, but the inoculum density in the deep-rip tillage area of the field with the heavier soil declined by nearly 20% in the upper and 60% in the lower strata following this treatment. The number ofV. dahliae propagules at the 10- to 20-cm depth in the plowed area of the same field was reduced by 25% following chemigation, but remained unchanged in the upper strata. Wilt was reduced in both fields by as much as 50% with shank injection of metam sodium with concomitant increases in total yield, marketable yield and gross income. Increases in total yield were significant (P<0.05) for the main effect of chemical, in the plowed area of the field with the heavier soil type following shank injection. These data suggest that growers might benefit from altering their tillage and chemical application practices as part of an integrated approach to managing Verticillium wilt.     

Detection methods forVerticillium species in naturally infested and inoculated soils

The detection and identification of threeVerticillium species in field soils with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay was compared to the traditional plating assay method. The two methods were both able to detect the commonVerticillium species in soils although the PCR method detectedV. tricorpus in three soil samples that the traditional method did not. In addition, the PCR assay was rapid, efficient, and required only 1 to 2 days for positive identification whereas the traditional methods required 4 to 8 weeks. The traditional method provided a quantitative measure of pathogen propagules in the soil with population levels ranging from 0 to 21, 625 colony-forming units per gram of soil. However, it was not able to differentiate between the weakly pathogenicV. albo-atrum strain 2 and the more aggressiveV. albo-atrum strain 1, but these two were distinguished with the PCR assay. Results from this study demonstrate that when symptoms of verticillium wilt are observed in potato plants in the field, the major verticillium wilt pathogens present in field soils can be rapidly and reliably detected by the PCR assay.     

Induction of soil suppressiveness to verticillium wilt of potato by successive croppings

Nine soils collected in New Jersey and Maryland were infested with microsclerotia ofVerticillium dahliae and planted with potato cv. Superior for five successive crops in the greenhouse to induce suppressiveness to Verticillium wilt. Potatoes were harvested 9–12 wk after planting and disease incidence was determined by recovery ofV. dahliae from stem segments on selective medium. Six of the nine soils had high disease incidence during the first cropping and remained conducive to Verticillium wilt throughout the experiment. Disease incidence increased in soils 3 and 9 over time, while disease incidence decreased nonlinearly in soil 1. Viability of microsclerotia buried in soil 9 for 4 wks was reduced compared to the viability of microsclerotia buried in soils 1, 3, and 6. Addition of 50 or 100 g hydrated lime/10 kg soil to soil 9 eliminated its suppressiveness to Verticillium wilt. Repeated cropping of the same soil can induce suppressiveness to Verticillium wilt. Soils exhibiting induced suppressiveness may be a source of new antagonists againstV. dahliae.     

The relationship betweenVerticillium albo-atrum inoculum density and potato yield

Population studies withVerticillium albo-atrum (microsclerotial form) have shown that a significant negative correlation exists between inoculum density in field soils determined before planting and yield of potatoes in some areas of Colorado but not in others. In Southern Weld and Morgan Counties where potatoes are planted early in sandy soils, reduced yield in Norgold Russet and Norchip cultivars occurred as inoculum densities increased. In Northern Weld County where potatoes are planted later in heavier soils, no such relationship was found. The significant relationship between inoculum density and reduced yield was associated with growing areas where conditions, particularly air temperature, appear to be favorable for verticillium wilt development when plants begin to mature. A minimum number ofVerticillium propagules was required to cause significant yield reductions in total, marketable and U.S. No. 1 grade categories. Below this minimum number, no significant yield reductions occurred. In Southern Weld and Morgan Counties, this minimum number was found to lie between 17.5 and 23 propagules per gram of soil. Controlled greenhouse studies showed that as air temperature decreased from 29.4 C (85 F) to 23.9 C (75 F) more inoculum was required to cause significant disease expression and to shorten plant life. This study has shown that in some areas soil inoculum assays prior to planting may provide a basis for selecting fields which are safe for planting potatoes to avoid severe losses from verticillium wilt. Furthermore, they may help in identifying fields where preventive control measures may be required for satisfactory potato production.     

Weed hosts of the tobacco rattle virus in Idaho

The corky ringspot disease of potato (Solanum tuberosum) caused by the tobacco rattle virus (TRV) is a serious problem in certain Idaho localities. To investigate natural TRV sources, weeds and plants from rotation crops were randomly collected from six fields with a history of corky ringspot symptoms. Transmission trials, Ouchterlony agar double-diffusion tests, and electron-microscopy showed evidence of TRV in three Idaho counties (Fremont, Ada, and Canyon). Inoculations were made from 27 species and TRV was recovered from the roots of three:Solanum nigrum, Brassica campestris, andErodium cicutarium. Solanum nigrum was the most consistent source of TRV and it generally incited the severest symptoms onNicotiana tabacum (Samsun NN). The results show thatS. nigrum, besides being an important wild host of TRV, may be a useful naturallyoccurring bait plant for detection of TRV in field soils.     

Long term effects of preplant fumigation of potato fields

The application of nematicides resulted in increased potato yields, and populations ofPratylenchus penetrans were lower for 3 years after application; but longevity of benefits of fumigating potato fields varied with the kind and amount of nematicide, application methods and with growing conditions after fumigation. Fumigation of two fields in the fall of 1965 with Vorlex, Telone, D-D, and mixtures of chloropicrin with Telone or D-D resulted in 70% to 90% control of the meadow nematode,P. penetrans, after two crops in one field, and 50% to 70% control after three crops in another. Yield increases of Kennebec potatoes averaged 42% and 16% in successive crops in the first field and yield increases of Katahdin potatoes averaged 13%, 22% and 16% in three successive crops in the other field. Fumigation resulted in 30 to 70% less vascular browning in tubers in the first two crops but there was no effect in the third crop. There was no effect on black scurf in any crop. Root injury varied proportionally with populations ofP. penetrans in roots in 1967. Populations ofP. penetrans regained injurious levels in three other fields after one crop when abundant root growth in moist 1967 followed spring fumigation with Telone and D-D. Under poor conditions for sealing of the soil following fumigation in the spring of 1968, counts ofP. penetrans collected at different soil depths after fumigation showed excellent kill below 3 inches and poorer kill in the upper 2 inches of soil.     

Prevalence of Verticillium wilt in potatoes in the Red River Valley area of Minnesota

Verticilium spp. were present in over 60% of potato fields in Clay, Marshall, Norman, and Polk Counties in the Red River Valley in Minnesota. ThreeVerticillium spp. were isolated from 27% of the potato stems collected in commercial fields during 1968–1972.Verticillium alboatrum andV. dahliae were recovered from infected stems in approximately equal amounts (51% to 47%), butV. nigrescens was recovered from less than 2% of all host-infected plants. Of 12 cultivars sampled, Superior, Kennebec, Red Pontiac, Sebago, Irish Cobbler, and Norland were most frequently infected.     

Colonization of rotation crops and weeds by the potato black dot pathogenColletotrichum coccodes

The rotation crops wheat, barley, oat, maize, soybean, rye, yellow mustard, alfalfa, and spring canola and weeds eastern black nightshade, velvetleaf, timothy grass, orchard grass, and Giant foxtail common to potato-growing areas in North America were used to study the host range ofColletotrichum coccodes, the causal agent of potato black dot. The fungus was isolated from nine of 14 rotation crops and weeds that were inoculated: yellow mustard, soybean, spring canola, alfalfa, oat, eastern black nightshade, velvetleaf, giant foxtail, and timothy grass. In all, colonization was highest in black nightshades (87%) and velvetleaf (80%). Among the rotation crops, colonization was highest on yellow mustard (59%) followed by spring canola (33%) and soybean (30%).Colletotrichum coccodes was not isolated from wheat, barley, rye, maize, or orchard grass. The results indicated that crops used for rotation with potato should be selected carefully to prevent the increase ofC. coccodes inoculum in the soil and that weeds may help maintain viable inoculum ofC. coccodes in the absence of potato. Based on these results we recommend that wheat, barley, maize, or rye be used in rotation with potato in areas whereC. coccodes is present in high levels in the soil.     

Verticillium wilt of potato in central Peru

Studies in the 1950’s indicated thatVerticillium alboatrum was present in potato fields in the irrigated coastal valleys of central Peru. No further studies were carried out in Peru until those in the late 1970’s initiated at The International Potato Center. So far, Verticillium wilt of potatoes has been observed in several valleys of the coast as well as in highland valleys at elevations up to 3400 m. Although the frequency of isolation ofVerticillium sp. has been much greater in the highlands, the disease is of less consequence there because of low temperatures during the growing season. The most common symptom observed in the field is early senescence, including yellowing and stunting of the foliage. Typical “wilt” symptoms are rarely found. Both in the coastal valleys and in the highlands, onlyVerticillium dahliae has been identified. Although no studies on losses and the economic importance of Verticillium wilt of potatoes have been done, it is clear that the two most important crops used in rotation in coastal valleys of central Peru, potato and cotton, are severely affected.