The white mold on potatoes can cause a number of problems. These molds must be removed before they can spread to living tissue. One of the best ways to remove the white mold is by applying a preventative fungicide. Farmers can use the Endura fungicide to prevent white molds from affecting their potatoes.
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Sclerotinia sclerottiorum is a fungal disease that affects potato crops. It lives on the soil surface as hard black sclerotia and produces spores in the air. It attacks flowering potatoes and is especially harmful to their petals. It also infects weeds and many broadleaf crops.
In order to diagnose this disease, affected tubers were surface-sanitized using sodium hypochlorite (2%) and washed with sterile water. Samples were then plated onto potato dextrose agar medium. The infection was confirmed by identifying colonies that looked like those of S. sclerotiorum after three to five days at 21degC. A representative culture was then transferred onto fresh potato dextrose agar medium where it remained for 10 days.
Sclerotia sclerotiorum is a fungus that lives in soil that is humid and warm. Once the fungus has colonized the soil, it can produce mycelium that grows inside the potato plant. Its mycelium can infect both the stem and lower leaves of the potato plant. When this happens, the stems of the potato plants become girdled. The dying potato stems will develop irregular-shaped, hard black sclerotia which are about 0.25 to 0.5 inch in diameter.
The primary survival mechanism of Sclerotinia scleropium is its sclerotia, which germinate on soil surfaces in late spring or early summer when the crop canopy shades the ground. When soil moisture remains high for several days, the sclerotia grow and produce small fruiting bodies called ascospores. These are the primary source of inoculum for the potato.
Sclerotia sclerotiorum is a serious fungus that affects potatoes. The infection first appears as water-soaked lesions and eventually rots the stem. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a soil-borne fungus that affects approximately 400 species of plants. It can infect potatoes as well as weeds, including onions and lambsquarters.
Fungicides are an effective way to combat the fungus. Using fungicides in the early stages of infection is the most effective method to control the fungus. However, fungicides must be applied before the fungus has attacked the plant and has produced visible symptoms. The ideal time for applying fungicides to potatoes is from the final hilling to row closure. A second application can be made ten to fourteen days later if relative humidity is high enough.
In the majority of cases, S. sclerotiorum is caused by Sclerotia sclerotiorum, a soil-borne pathogen that infects plants through eruptively germinating sclerotia near the plant’s taproot. This species causes stem lesions and vascular invasion of the mycelium, resulting in plant wilting and collapse.
Another fungal disease that can cause damage to potatoes is Botrytis cinerea. This fungus is similar to the White Mold but can affect different plant species. Its most common host is wine grapes, but it can also affect many other plants, including potatoes. This species thrives in cool, rainy conditions.
Fortunately, it can be prevented. The fungus is not as harmful as other types of mold, but it can still cause problems. To control the disease, farmers need to prevent it from developing in the first place. The best way to do this is by controlling the humidity levels of the fields before the vines close. They should monitor their fields at least twice a week.
The symptoms of potato blight can be spotted by examining the plants after a wet spell. Symptoms include water-soaked lesions, fungal growths, and wilted stems. If left untreated, it can spread back into the soil.
This fungal disease can be hard to detect in the early stages. The fungus forms dense white mycelium on the stem and girdles the stem. The lesions may turn white or tan when dried and the stems may become hollow. Infected stems may also develop white or tan lesions on the leaves.
This fungus can infect almost any broadleaf plant. The spores spread by wind and can travel a long distance. It prefers moist soil and temperatures between 15 degrees and 25 degrees. Its trumpet-shaped fruiting bodies are usually visible during the early spring.
Botrytis cinerea
Potatoes are one of the most susceptible crops to botrytis cinerea, a fungus that causes disease and can lead to plant failure. This disease is often undetected until it damages a plant. As a result, the damage to the plant is not immediately obvious, but it can be prevented by following certain steps. Here are some of these steps:
Limit leaf wetting. By controlling leaf wetting, you can reduce the severity of the disease. Using copper products on your plants can also reduce the spread of the fungus. This will also help to keep the stem dry. These measures will help to reduce the number of diseases that can occur on potatoes.
Use of a reporter strain to detect fungal infection in potato plants. This strain is composed of a gene called GUS, which controls the activity of a fungitoxic enzyme called BccutA. This gene is inactive in spores, but is induced during germination. This gene is able to induce H2O2 accumulation in the inoculated plant leaves.
Microbial antagonists have great potential in controlling the growth of Botrytis on crops. In fact, seven products have already been approved for use on both food and non-food plants. These products are gaining a niche market in several countries. However, heavy use of conventional fungicides on crops has been restricted due to residues and restrictions placed by importing countries.
The resistance of potatoes to Botrytis cinerea depends on the ABA level in the plant’s epidermis. The disease can also cause premature abscission of fruits. This is due to the presence of ethylene-producing bacteria. It can also affect the fruit’s flavor and texture.
In order to develop an effective resistance to Botrytis cinerea on potatoes, scientists have identified candidate S genes that provide protection against this pathogen. Previous studies have found that the DND1 gene from Arabidopsis conferred increased resistance against B. cinerea, and the tomato DND1 ortholog reduced susceptibility.
The pathogen grows by attaching itself to dead plant tissues and secreting conidia. In this process, it produces a single or two germ tubes, which can range in size from 20 to 40 mm. These germ tubes contain a polysaccharide glucan matrix, which increases their adhesion to the plant surface. The sclerotia then develop into an appressorium, which is attached to the plant’s surface by mucilage.
Moreover, the gene DMR6 has been found to reduce susceptibility to B. cinerea, but this gene is not necessary for reducing the level of B. cinerea infection in potatoes. This gene encodes a homoserine kinase, which triggers the expression of pelD by pectin and homoserine. The effect is similar.
Until recently, it was believed that host plants are passive in the interaction with necrotrophic pathogens. However, recent research has shown that the host plays an active role in these interactions. Interestingly, this interaction seems to be much more subtle than previously thought. The ability to induce programmed cell death in the plant appears to play a pivotal role in the success of B. cinerea.
There are numerous studies that have indicated that genes that facilitate the growth of B. cinerea have potential to enhance resistance in plants. For example, the genes DND1 and LEPG play an important role in fruit cell wall softening and penetration of B. cinerea. Moreover, the genes CESA4 and CESA7 and CESA8 encode subunits in the cellulose synthase complex.
