Seed tuber susceptibility toErwinia chrysanthemi: Evaluation of altered tuber physiology as a means of reducing incidence and severity of soft rot

Abstract

Tubers, cv. Sebago, previously treated or untreated with Rindite were stored under different light and temperature regimes in 2 seasons for up to 8 weeks to produce physiological conditions ranging from dormancy in the dark to vigorous sprouting in light. No treatment prior to inoculation withErwinia chrysanthemi (Sabet) Victoria, Arboleda & Munoz reduced the incidence of severity of soft rot compared with tubers stored under conditions approximating those in the field. Rindite treatment to break dormancy increased incidence and severity of rotting in tubers previously stored at 5°C but had no significant effect on ambient stored tubers. Exposure to light had no consistent significant effect although there was a tendency to reduce the incidence, but not the severity, of rotting. Reducing sugar levels and moisture content were not correlated with soft rot either on a treatment or individual tuber basis. The data showed no predictive correlation between these parameters and the incidence or severity ofE. chrysanthemi soft rot.