Aerial Stem Rot

Pathogen: Erwinia carotovora var. carotovora, E. c. var. atroseptica

Symptoms

Click to enlarge image

Soft, watery rotting of the stem, usually beginning at a point of breakage, which spreads throughout the stem and leaves. The rot quickly develops into death of the plant. Infestation can spread to daughter-tubers, which begin to rot either in the field or later during storage (see: Blackleg)

Damage

Severe infestation leads to plant death and a consequent loss of yield. Tubers can spoil if conditions for storage and shipping are less than optimal.

Conditions for Development

The disease is transmitted in the field by droplets (from rain or irrigation) and the passage of mechanical tools. Disease development is intensified by dense foliage and high humidity.

Control

Pesticides: Spraying with copper agents can lessen the severity of infection.

Management: Increasing the intervals between irrigation in affected fields.

Aerial Stem Rot
Black Dot, Colletotrichum coccodes
Blackleg and Tuber Soft Rot
Black Scurf, Rhizoctonia Canker
Common Scab, Streptomyces scabies
Early Blight, Alternaria solani
Deep Pitted Scab, Streptomyces spp
Leak, Pythium ultimum
PLRV, Potato Leafroll Virus
Powdery Scab, Spongospora subterranea
PVX, Potato Virus X
PVY, Potato Virus Y
Verticillium Wilt, Verticillium dahliae