Confirmed record of Spongospora subterranea subsp. subterranea in potato cv. Igorota in Northern Philippines and the susceptibility of tomato cv. Yellow plum to Spongospora root infection

Abstract

This study confirms the presence of Spongospora subterranea subsp. subterranea in the Northern Philippines, provides information on the morphology of the Philippine strain (PHLSs0003) of S. subterranea, and reports for the first time the susceptibility of potato cv. Igorota to powdery scab and tomato cv. Yellow plum to Spongospora root infection. Spongospora subterranea PHLSs0003 was recovered from scab-infected potato tubers cv. Igorota grown in Bauko, Mountain Province, Philippines. The sporosori characteristics of PHLSs0003 were similar to other sporosori collections worldwide and sporosori and resting spore sizes were within the range reported elsewhere. Plant bait assay revealed zoosporangia infection by S. subterranea in Tomato cv. Yellow plum seedlings. The findings from this study will help establish the relative importance of powdery scab and Spongospora root infection in potato and tomato production, respectively, in the country. The information presented here could also improve research on Spongospora disease monitoring and management in the country.