ABSTRACT
Bacterial diseases affecting potatoes M. Jennifer Sjölund, Rachel Kelly, Gerry S. Saddler and David M. Kenyon, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), UK
1 Introduction
2 Symptoms and impact of bacterial diseases affecting potatoes
3 Pathogen diversity
4 Control strategies
5 Case studies
6 Future trends in research
7 Where to look for further information
8 References
Bacterial plant pathogens place major constraints on crop production globally and cause significant annual losses. In general, bacterial plant diseases are difficult to control, as chemical interventions are limited and in many cases ineffective or inappropriate. Breeding resistant varieties can provide temporary respite, but frequently gene-mediated resistance mechanisms are overcome by dynamic and evolving pathogen populations (Senthil-Kumar and Mysore 2013). In addition, such efforts can also be frequently hampered by market forces dictating the production of highly susceptible varieties in order to satisfy consumer preferences, or by changing environmental conditions which tilt the advantage in the pathogen’s favour (Sundin et al. 2016a). Preventing the introduction of bacterial pathogens and limiting their spread by regulating the production, inspection and movement of planting materials, and where appropriate, controlling potential vectors are often the only effective management strategies available.
