Potato Protection Research Articles

Biological Pests Management for Sustainable Agriculture: Understanding the Influence of Cladosporium-Bioformulated Endophytic Fungi Application to Control Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776) in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).

The potato is a staple food crop worldwide and the need for this product has increased due to the burgeoning population. However, potato production is highly constrained by biotic stress interference, such as Myzus persicae Sulzer, which causes serious yield losses and thus minimizing production income. The current study aims to investigate the effect of different formulations prepared as an invert emulsion with different concentrations of fungal culture filtrates derived from three endophytic fungi (genus Cladosporium) against Myzus persicae. All formulations have demonstrated an aphicidal activity, which increases with the increasing concentration of fungal filtrates. Furthermore, it has been noted that chitinolytic activity recorded for 12 days is important in Cladosporium sp. BEL21 isolated from dwarf mistletoe Arceuthobium oxycedri. The study of demographic and embryonic parameters of aphids settled on potato plants previously treated with formulations revealed a significant reduction in the numbers of colonizing aphids and a relative increase in the numbers of winged adults, especially in plants treated with BEL21-derived emulsion. The pre-treatment of plants may interfere with and negatively influence embryonic development and early maturity of the embryo and thus affect the fertility of parthenogenetic aphids. BEL21-derived emulsion can ensure effective and an inexpensive control of M. persicae for potato spring cropping systems. The current results open real opportunities concerning the implementation of ecofriendly and potent potato protection systems.

Lactic Acid Bacteria as Biocontrol Agents against Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Pathogens

Biological control offers an alternative to chemical pesticides, which are inconsistent with the global trend of “going green”. Biological control includes various approaches, from natural predators to biologically produced molecules. This article focuses on the selection of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as biological control agents against potato pathogens. The scope included evaluating the antimicrobial activity of 100 LAB strains against ten phytopatogens (Pectobacterium carotovorum, Streptomyces scabiei, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium sambucinum, Alternaria solani, Alternaria, tenuissima, Alternaria alternata, Phoma exigua, Rhizoctonia solani, Colletotrichum coccodes) by cross-streak plate method. HPLC determined the metabolic profiles for the most active LAB strains, and lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid and ethanol were found in the largest quantities. The strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KB2 LAB 03 was finally selected and cultured on supplemented acid whey. After the selection in laboratory tests, the strain KB2 LAB 03 was assessed in situ on seed potatoes against phytopathogens. The test showed a 40–90% reduction of eight potato pathogens infestation; only F. sambucinum and F. oxysporum were not inhibited at all. L. plantarum KB2 LAB 03 was proposed as the potential biocontrol agent for the potato protection against phytopathogens.

Evaluating the Antagonistic Potential of Actinomycete Strains Isolated From Sudan's Soils Against Phytophthora infestans.

Soil microorganisms play crucial roles in soil fertility, e.g., through decomposing organic matter, cycling nutrients or through beneficial interactions with plants. Actinomycetes are a major component of soil inhabitants; they are prolific producers of specialized metabolites, among which many antibiotics. Here we report the isolation and characterization of 175 Actinomycetes from rhizosphere and bulk soil samples collected in 18 locations in Sudan. We evaluated the strains’ metabolic potential for plant protection by testing their ability to inhibit the mycelial growth of the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, which is one of the most devastating plant pathogens worldwide. Most strains significantly reduced the oomycete’s growth in direct confrontational in vitro assays. A significant proportion of the tested strains (15%) were able to inhibit P. infestans to more than 80%, 23% to 50%–80%, while the remaining 62% had inhibition percentages lesser than 50%. Different morphologies of P. infestans mycelial growth and sporangia formation were observed upon co-inoculation with some of the Actinomycetes isolates, such as the production of fewer, thinner hyphae without sporangia leading to a faint growth morphology, or on the contrary, of clusters of thick-walled hyphae leading to a bushy, or “frozen” morphology. These morphologies were caused by strains differing in activity levels but phylogenetically closely related with each other. To evaluate whether the isolated Actinomycetes could also inhibit the pathogen’s growth in planta, the most active strains were tested for their ability to restrict disease progress in leaf disc and full plant assays. Five of the active strains showed highly significant protection of potato leaves against the pathogen in leaf disc assays, as well as substantial reduction of disease progress in full plants assays. Using cell-free filtrates instead of the bacterial spores also led to full protection against disease on leaf discs, which highlights the strong crop protective potential of the secreted metabolites that could be applied as leaf spray. This study demonstrates the strong anti-oomycete activity of soil- and rhizosphere-borne Actinomycetes and highlights their significant potential for the development of sustainable solutions based on either cell suspensions or cell-free filtrates to safeguard potatoes from their most damaging pathogen.

Protection of potatoes from late blight in Sakhalin

The article presents long-term studies on the study of agrotechnical and chemical measures to combat potato late blight in the Sakhalin region. At the initial stage of work (1951-1966), the local population of the fungus Phytophtora infestans was studied, and a method for short-term prognosis of the disease was developed. For the first time, a complex of agrotechnical and chemical measures was developed: preplant germination and treatment of tubers with microelements (Cu, B, Mn); joint application of fertilizers and copper sulfate; double spraying of potato seedlings with microelements; fungicide treatments; removal of tops on seed plots before harvesting; post-harvest planting of seed material. Between 1996 and 2019 the improvement of disease control measures was carried out on the basis of the use of chemical and biological agents. In 1996-2003 among the studied modern fungicides, the most effective were systemic preparations (Acrobat MC, Ordan), as well as the combined use of Ordan with the biological product Planriz and Sodium Humate, which made it possible to reduce the development of the disease by 24.2-69.1% and increase the yield by 17.3-48.9%. According to the results of research in 2016-2019. Innovative combined action fungicides Infinito and Consento had the maximum protective effect against fungal infection. The use of drugs under production conditions made it possible to reduce the degree of damage to the vegetative mass by the pathogen by 56.5-60.0%, and increase the yield by 31.2-36.5%. Technical efficiency corresponded to 67-71%. The studied biopreparations (Trichocin, Vitaplan) are recommended for prophylactic treatment of potatoes in the initial period of vegetation.

The importance of protecting potato varieties in the phytosanitary technology of the Trans-Urals

The article examines the elements of the phytosanitary adaptive technology of potato cultivation in the conditions of the Trans-Urals. Prospective varieties of potatoes have been studied. The yield increase for new varieties varied from 3.4 t/ha Colombo to 4.9 t/ha Cavalier, due to the resistance of new varieties to diseases. The data on the protective measures taken in planting potato varieties are presented. This is the use of Akiba disinfectants (imidacloprid - 500 g/l) - 0.1 l/t and King Combi (acetamiprid + fludioxonil + cyproconazole, 100 + 34 + 8.3 g/l) - 0.4 l/t in the fight against the Colorado potato beetle and beetle larvae clickers - wireworms, and also identified the best options for integrated protection of potatoes, which made it possible to save the harvest and increase the yield from 3.9 t/ha to 9.9 t/ha for the Mia variety and from 4.0 t/ha to 11.25 t/ha for the variety Itzil. The maximum increase was found in the variants of complex protection of potatoes from pests and diseases in the conditions of the Trans-Urals. The use of new varieties and plant protection products are important elements of potato cultivation technology.

Influence of growth regulators on the productivity and protection of potato from diseases during storage in Khakassia

Influence of growth regulators on the productivity and protection of potato from diseases during storage in Khakassia

The UK experience in potato protection against bacterial diseases

The UK experience in potato protection against bacterial diseases

Potato protection during storage

Potato protection during storage

Efficacy assessment of different schemes of potato protection by fungicides

Efficacy assessment of different schemes of potato protection by fungicides

Potato protection effectiveness in conditions of gray forest soils of the Bryansk region

Potato protection effectiveness in conditions of gray forest soils of the Bryansk region

Strategy of potato chemical protection from diseases

During 2019-2021, the effectiveness of pre-planting treatment of potato tubers of the Sante variety against rhizoctonia disease and two schemes for the use of combined and contact fungicides in the conditions of the Moscow region was evaluated. The biological efficacy of the Idikum preparation for pre-planting treatment of tubers against rhizoctonia disease was 83.5%. All tested potato protection schemes during the growing season showed high efficiency in reducing the prevalence and degree of late blight and alternaria leaf spot. Depending on the prevailing weather conditions of the growing season, the scheme, where the contact-systemic preparation Metaxyl was used for the first treatment, provided an increase in yield by 36.3-47.5%, the second scheme – with the first treatment with the contact preparation Kumir – 25.8-36.3%.

Biological Products for Integrated Protection Systems for Greenhouse Vegetables and Ware Potatoes

The article presents research materials on the widespread use of multifunctional biological products against fungal and bacterial pathogens on the main vegetable crops cultivated in greenhouses and on potatoes. For protected ground crops: cucumber, tomato, eggplant, protection systems have been developed that help protect plants from diseases during the entire growing season. The introduction of these systems into production makes it possible to completely reduce or minimize the use of chemical plant protection products on these crops and thereby reduce the negative impact on the environment, as well as improve the quality and safety of crop products. The article presents the main biological products that are included in the potato protection system, including Kartofin, SK and Sternifag, SP.

Вплив комплексного застосування біологічних і хімічних препаратів на розвиток хвороб та врожайність картоплі

Goal. To study the effectiveness of complex use of biological and chemical drugs in the system of protection of potato against diseases. Methods. Field, phenological, phytopathological, statistical. The study was performed on the potato of Alvar and Levada varieties by treating the tubers before planting and spraying the plants during the growing season. Results. The efficiency of different methods of application of microbial and chemical preparations in the system of protection of potato against diseases is determined. It is established that the use of biological preparations Fitotsid, r., Azotobacterin, r., Serenada ASO SC, KS, created based on living cells of microorganisms, separately and in mixtures with chemicals in potato protection technologies, ensured their high efficiency. Suppression of the development of dominant diseases — Alternaria and phytophthora during the growing season was at the level of 45 and 51%, increase in yield — an average of 13 t/ha compared to control and 2 t/ha — compared to chemicals, marketability of tubers — 18% compared with control. Mixtures of biological preparations with fungicides with reduced by 20 and 25% consumption rates ensured the effectiveness of measures at the level of fungicides with full consumption rates. Conclusions. The use of biological drugs with multifunctional action (Serenada ASO SC, KC, Fitotsid, r., Azotobacterin, r.) in mixtures with chemicals in different methods of application on potato reduces the pesticide load on the agrocenosis, effectively limits the development of infectious diseases and improves yields and product quality. The combined use of biological drugs with chemical protection agents prolongs the protective effect of bioagents, reduces the number of treatments and consumption rates of chemicals.

Potato protection system with preparations of the company “Agrorus & Co.”

The results of tests of the potato protection system with chemical preparations of the company “Agrorus & Co” in the conditions of the Moscow region on Favorit and Sante varieties are presented. The results of the tests showed that the use of herbicides reduced the number of perennial weeds by 87,3% and annual weeds by 91,4 %. The prevalence of alternariasis on the date of the last accounting relative to the control (78,8%) decreased by 1,7 times, and the degree of development by 2,7 times, late blight – on the susceptible variety of the tops of Santa almost twice, and the degree of development by 3,4 times. The biological effectiveness against the Colorado beetle of preparations for pre-planting treatment was 96,9-100,0%, and for preparations during the growing season – 99,5-100,0%. The increase in gross and commercial yield on the Favorite variety was 56,3% and 58,2%, respectively, on the Santa variety – 31,4% and 32,8% compared to the control.

Препараты АО «Щелково Агрохим» в защите картофеля

Применение препаратов фирмы АО «Щелково Агрохим» в интегрированной системе защиты картофеля доказало их высокую эффективность. Цель исследований – испытать рекомендуемую систему защиты картофеля химическими препаратами АО «Щелково Агрохим». Исследования проводили в 2019–2020 годах на экспериментальной базе «Коренево» в условиях Московской области на сорте Санте. Почва – дерново-подзолистая супесчаная с содержанием гумуса (по Тюрину) – 1,2–1,9%, подвижного фосфора (по Кирсанову) – 342–346 мг/кг, обменного калия (по Масловой) – 64–68 мг/кг, рНKCl = 4,9–5,0. Расход рабочей жидкости – 10 л/т посадочного материала при протравливании и 300 л/га в период вегетации растений. Предпосадочная обработка клубней баковой смесью фунгицида Кагатник, ВРК и инсектицида Бомбарда, КС позволила снизить процент пораженных ризоктониозом растений на 7,2% по сравнению с контролем (19,1%) и обеспечила практически полную защиту растений картофеля от первой генерации колорадского жука. По результатам испытаний показано, что комплексное использование гербицидов в фазе всходов позволило снизить количество многолетних сорняков через 30 дней после их применения на 90,0% и однолетних – на 94,1%. Обработка растений в период вегетации фунгицидами снизила распространенность альтернариоза на дату последнего учета относительно контроля (58,8%) в 1,9 раза, а степень развития в 3,0 раза. Распространенность фитофтороза в контрольном варианте составила 100,0% и степень развития – 66,2%, а в опытном варианте – 14,3% и 2,7% соответственно. Биологическая эффективность инсектицидов Беретта, МД и Имидор, ВРК составила 91,1–94,5%. Применение комплекса химических средств защиты растений и агрохимикатов АО «Щелково Агрохим» обеспечило получение прибавки валовой и товарной урожайности на 29,2 и 42,5% соответственно по сравнению с контролем (25,0 и 21,4 т/га). Изучаемые препараты обеспечили снижение пораженности клубней болезнями по сравнению с контролем, урожайность стандартного здорового картофеля товарной фракции превысила контроль на 46,1%. The use of presticides made by JSC Shchelkovo Agrochem in the integrated potato protection system has proved their high efficiency. The purpose of the research is to test the recommended system of potato protection with chemical preparations of JSC Shchelkovo Agrochem. The research was carried out in 2019–2020 at the experimental base Korenevo in the conditions of the Moscow region on the variety Santa. The soil is sod-podzolic sandy loam with a content of humus (according to Tyurin) – 1.2–1.9%, mobile phosphorus (according to Kirsanov) – 342–346 mg/kg, exchangeable potassium (according to Maslova) – 64–68 mg/kg, pHKCl = 4.9–5.0. The flow rate of the working fluid is 10 l/t of planting material during etching and 300 l/ha during the growing season of plants. Pre-planting treatment of tubers with a tank mixture of Kagatnik fungicide, VRK and Bombard insecticide, CS allowed to reduce the percentage of plants affected by rhizoctoniosis by 7.2% compared to the control (19.1%) and provided almost complete protection of potato plants from the first generation of the Colorado potato beetle. According to the results of the tests, it was shown that the combined use of herbicides in the germination phase allowed to reduce the number of perennial weeds 30 days after their application by 90.0% and annual – by 94.1%. Treatment of plants during the growing season with fungicides reduced the prevalence of alternariasis at the date of the last accounting relative to the control (58.8%) by 1.9 times, and the degree of development by 3.0 times. The prevalence of late blight in the control version was 100.0% and the degree of development was 66.2%, and in the experimental version – 14.3% and 2.7%, respectively. The biological effectiveness of insecticides Beretta, MD and Imidor, VRK was 91.1–94.5%. The use of a complex of chemical plant protection products and agrochemicals of JSC Shchelkovo Agrochem provided an increase in gross and commercial yield by 29.2% and 42.5%, respectively, compared to the control (25.0 and 21.4 t/ha). The studied preparations provided a reduction in the incidence of tubers with diseases compared to the control, and the yield of standard healthy potatoes of the commodity fraction exceeded the control by 46.1%.

Comprehensive Assessment of Promising Potato Hybrids of Breeding VSC RAS

Using the traditional and marker-assisted selection methods, a comprehensive assessment of promising hybrids from the collection of the All-Russian Scientific Center was carried out. The assessment was conducted in 2018–2019 in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. As a result of molecular genetic analysis, hybrids were found with complex resistance to potato nematode, virus Y and X viruses - 2 / V, 5 / V, 6 / V, 17 / V, 40 / V, 43 / V, 46 / V, 54 / V, 124 / V, 9 / VI, 22a / VI, 35 / VI, 130 / VI, 71 / VII and 118 / VIII. Use of these selected forms allows optimal protection of potatoes, limitation of the spread of pathogens and prevention of the emergence of more aggressive pathotypes (races and strains). The hybrids with resistance to potato virus Y (with the presence of R-gene markers - 1/I, 3/I, 10/I, 13/I, 11/II, 15/III, 2/V, 5/V, 6/V, 7/V, 10/V/1140, 17/V, 40/V, 43/V, 46/V, 54/V, 124/V, 9/VI, 22a/VI, 35/VI, 100/VI, 130/VI, 71/VII) are of interest for practical breeding, as well as the hybrids with resistance to Phytophthora infestans such as 15/III, 119/IX and the hybrids 15 / III, 35 / VI, 130 / VI and 71 / VII, which have high marketable yield and weight of tuber.
 Keywords: potato, interspecific hybrids, marker-assisted breeding, resistance genes

Advances in potato protection from phytopathogens

In 2017-18, the studies of the new Banjo Forte, SC fungicide at 3 rates of 0.8, 0.9 and 1.0 l/ha against Phytophthora infestans were continued in various soil and weather conditions of Russia on potato varieties viz. Udacha, Gala and Sylvana (Dolzhenko, 2009). In 2016-17 studies on the effectiveness of Sercadis, SC in rates of 0.2 and 0.25 l/ t against Rhizoctonia sp. were conducted on the varieties namely Udacha, Labella, Rosara, Zhukovskyearly in Leningrad, Tambov and Volgograd regions when applied on tubers before planting. The studies showed that fungicide Banjo Forte, regardless of rates, was highly effective against P. infestans in various phytosanitary conditions, providing safety of the crop, and increasing its marketable qualities. Sercadis, SC in rates of 0.2 and 0.25 l/t was highly effective in protecting potato against Rhizoctonia sp. in various stages of infestation of tubers each year of the study. It’s effectiveness on plants reached to 85.8 to 91.5% in Tambov region, 73.3 to 100% in Leningrad region and 62.7 to 68.3% in Volgograd region, with disease development on plants in control being at 10.0 to 19.4%. The fungicide protected the tubers against Rhizoctonia sp. Up to 73.7 to 100% (Leningrad region) and 81.1 to 84.8% (Tambov region). Applying of the fungicide on bottoms of furrows in rates of 0.7 and 0.83 l/ha had a positive effect on crop yield and quality of grown tubers.

Efficiency of Xenorhabdus bovienii in protecting potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) against Rhizoctonia black scurf

This research evaluated the efficiency of metabolism products of entomopathogenic nematode symbiotic bacteria (MPEPNSB) of Xenorhabdus bovienii (Enterobacteriaceae) against Rhizoctonia black scurf on potato and effect of MPEPNSB treatment alone and in combination with NPK fertilizers on emergence of plants, yield and biochemical indicators of daughter tuber quality. The field experiment was carried out in 2016 under natural conditions of the Northwest region of Russia on the sod-podzolic loamy soil. The application of MPEPNSB (aqueous suspension, 30 mL/L of water) for the treatment of soil (1000 L/ha), seed tubers (10 L/t) and potato plants in the emergence phase (200 L/ha) inhibited the severity of black scurf by 97 %, the incidence of the disease reduced by 97.6 %. The complex treatment increased the potato plant emergence by 13.8%, yield by 22 %, starch content by 5 % and vitamin C content by 9.3 %. Combined application of MPEPNSB and mineral fertilizers improved yield and tuber quality indicators in potato. Application of MPEPNSB with fertilizers (MPEPNSB + N60P60K90 and MPEPNSB + N90P90K120) increased the potato yield by 55-58 %, starch content by 7.8 % and vitamin C content by 14.5-13.1 %. This study provides a perspective for the use of MPEPNSB for Rhizoctonia black scurf control in potato protection systems. Application of MPEPNSB produced high quality potato tubers.

Effect of Kamchatka shelf marine hydrobiont based organic fertilizers on potato cultivation

The effect of organic fertilizers Bio-Mare grades Bio-Fish and Bio-Algo from sea hydrobionts on different backgrounds of mineral nutrition was studied, effective terms and methods of their application were determined, providing increased yields, reduced morbidity and mineral nutrition in potato cultivation. Researchers have shown expediency of use of preparation Bio-Fish and Bio-Algo in the integrated system of potato protection from Rhizoctonia solani J. G. Kuhn. Double treatment of plants or a combination of pre-planting treatment of tubers and spraying of plants with the preparation of Bio-Fish contributed to the reduction of rhizoctoniosis development before potato harvesting by 13.2 % and the disease prevalence by 40.0%. The maximum reduction of rhizoctoniosis development by 13.9 % and the disease prevalence by 44.8 % in these variants was also obtained with Bio-Algo. Due to the use of Bio-Algo on the background of (NPK)90 and (NPK)60, the content of vitamin C in potato tubers increased by 4.66 %. The maximum yield of potatoes (26.6 t/ha) was obtained by treatment of tubers in combination with spraying of plants with Bio-Algo on the background of (NPK)90i.e. equal to the yield of potatoes on the background of (NPK)120 in economic control, which makes it possible to reduce the dose of mineral nutrition of potato by 30 per cent.

Economic effectiveness of using fungicides in the protection of potato against Phytophthora infestans and Alternaria spp.

The aim of the research carried out in 2014–2016 at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute in Jadwisin was to assess the economic effectiveness of the use of fungicides in combating the causative agents of potato blight and alternaria on plants of four edible potato varieties with different resistance to Phytophthora infestans. The experiment included two objects: control – without chemical protection and protection – in which from 3 to 5 chemical treatments were performed. In the protected object obtained increase of yield of tubers was 20.4%. The value of saved production amounted to an average of 4.181.8 zł/ha. In the years of research in which meteorological conditions favored the development of late blight and alternaria, high profitability of using fungicides was found. Orientation index of profitability (E2) was in the range of 2.5–4.0, which means that the performed plant protection treatment constituted from 2.5 to 4.0% of the value of the obtained tuber yield per 1 hectare.