Disease management strategies for potato black dot in Canadian potatoes.

Potato diseases remain a major limiting factor in profitable potato production. The aim of this study is to conduct fundamental studies of potato black dot disease, caused by the soil-borne fungus Colletotrichum coccodes, and to evaluate management strategies to reduce the incidence of black dot in potato fields of Alberta. The study involves assessment of commercial potato fields for the presence and quantity of C. coccodes, evaluation of the efficacy of active ingredients, developed by Syngenta, to control disease development, and testing and characterization of C. coccodes isolates for sensitivity to azoxystrobin. Molecular quantification of the pathogen(s) will help determine a region-specific threshold(s) for initial inoculum of the pathogens in soils at which disease can develop. The findings of this study will help the industry identify specific strategies for effective control of black dot of potato.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dmytro Yevtushenko

Student:

Partner:

Syngenta Canada Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Lethbridge

Program: