Fungal, oomycete, and plasmodiophorid diseases of potato and their control

Fungal, oomycete, and plasmodiophorid pathogens are the causal agents of potato diseases. These pathogens cause serious economic damage including reduction of potato yield and/or quality of the tubers, thus directly affecting the whole chain of potato production and industry worldwide. The losses are caused in the field where all diseases are initiated and, in the storage, affecting potatoes for consumption as well as on seed tubers for subsequent crops. Moreover, as some of these pathogens are also soilborne, their negative impact on soil contamination requires intensive and expensive measures for the long term. The chapter is focused on the main issues related to the pathogen biology, the disease epidemiology, and the disease management at different stages of development, according to the specific pathogens. The more the understanding of the different diseases, through advanced research, the more tools can be developed to achieve efficient disease management and prevent yield losses. The diseases being discussed in this chapter can be divided according to their targeted plant part: attacking either the above-ground parts causing leaves chlorosis and necrosis, foliar wilt, or the under-ground parts damaging the root system and the tubers. Several of the diseases which intensify during the harvest, storage, and transport of the produce are considered also as postharvest diseases, affecting tubers by causing symptoms such as blemishes, soft and dry rots, leading to a reduction in tuber quality.

In the era of climate change and global warming, combating old, new, and re-emerging diseases challenges the scientific community in better knowing “the enemy” for providing acceptable solutions for the growing population on earth. In the current chapter the major pathogens causing severe economic losses and their control will be discussed.