Minireview/MinisynthèseProspect for functional eradication of the bacterial ring rot disease of potato

Abstract

The feasibility of eradicating the bacterial ring rot disease of potato, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, must be evaluated in terms of current knowledge pertaining to pathogen ecology and disease epidemiology, as well as in consideration of developments in laboratory methods for pathogen detection, seed certification regulations and plant health legislation. For our purposes here, eradication should be understood in a functional sense as describing the apparent elimination of the disease without really knowing whether or not the causal bacterium still lurks somewhere in the crop production system. The potential for such eradication depends on the causal bacterium's capacity (or incapacity) to persist in the environment and the means by which vertical and horizontal transmission among potato production units can be controlled. Strict application of certification regulations and early detection of infected potato lots are essential not only to maintaining control of the ring rot disease but also underlie progress toward its functional eradication. For an eradication programme to be successful it must include three fundamental elements, namely, early detection, sanitation and prevention. Ultimately, however, the feasibility of achieving success will depend on economic factors and the commitment of the entire potato industry.